Community Feedback Voiced

Public Commentary un-cut: Here's what you said...

Since the inception of Build it Right, we have received a variety of feedback through our on-line petition and through general emails through our contact page. Below are some of the many comments we have received:

I do not support any of the HRM's 3 presented options.

Halifax deserves a facility for all ages. Building it right will garnish a lot more support (both financial and personal) from the community than what HRM is currently proposing.

The people of Halifax West deserve a facility that meets the needs of all age groups and activities. We will pay for whatever is built anyway ...so why not build it right?

As a former and hopefully future resident of the HRM I hope that the Municipality, Community and Potential Stakeholders take the time to revaluate the goal of this important project. Facilities can be constructed to meet leisure and competitive needs. You need look no further than the recently constructed Saanich Commonwealth Place in Victoria, The Etobicoke Olympium outside of Toronto or the Kinsmen Sports Centre in Edmonton . All of these facilities have well attended leisure programs but also serve as competitive centres within their communities as well as on a provincial, national and international stage. There seems to be a never-ending discussion in Halifax on what national or international event the city and itsâ€T residents should bid on next to host. While the city has found much success in previous bids we have also encounter many disappointments. This project provides the city with an opportunity to act proactively in securing future bid attempts by constructing a facility that will be needed to host future bids such as the Summer Commonwealth Games, the Canadian Summer Games and a plenitude of national and international aquatic competitions.

We need a proper recreational complex. It would have huge and lasting positive impact on everyone in the community and beyond

I just recently started following the HMCRC progress and have heard that there have been at at least 2 groups "representing" the community and that perhaps not that much has been accomplished. My selfish side was primarily interested in at least one ice hockey rink. I'm involved as a coach and a parent, in the Halifax Hawks Hockey Association and have run into double ice bookings and have heard of triple ice bookings. These get fixed through adding ice at less popular venues and at less favourable times. The 2-3 rink complex never happened out off of Rocky Lake Road , so why would I even think the city would consider building even one rink at the Mainland Common Facility? Go figure. I am quite surprised to see the lack of foresight on the part of the city after having built schools in this area and by the time they open, it's full. Aren't we paying people good money to look at population trends and demographics? I believe we are, so why don't they at least table something reasonable? Based on the options I have seen put forth, I think that the city should pull back their horns because they're forcing something on us that we do not agree with. Who are the decision makers in the HRM that can stop this nonsense and hear the voice of this community? They've scandered enough money and tiume already to come up with the 3 unsavory options...surely they can hear us out and make their decision in the new year. Is it that their budget year is the calendar year and they have to spend some cash right away? That's enough from me...don't think I'll ever see a rink on these grounds though. I would be interestd myself to know if there are any plans to build a new rink or two in HRM and if not, why not?

better transit system, and ferries across the arm

A pool should be for the needs of as many people as possible. This pool does not fill the needs of a wide community.

Halifax continues to make mistakes with their decisions around Sport and Recreation facilities. They display an under-appreciation for the role that proper facilities play in encouraging people to become active and be involved in sport... both being key to healthy living. Their lack of commitment to maintain those facilities they do have, is also a reflection of this under-appreciation.

We need a Community recreation and active lifestyle facility that will meet the need of this fast growing community. It is not economical to build something that will not meet the needs of the community and then in a year or two build another one. Do it right once to safe money time and community frustration.

The MCRC should serve as a community gathering place. It is also an excellent opportunity for making health services more accessible to all.

Northcliffe Pool is my lane pool. I also need a gym. The proposals do not improve services for me. In fact they may be a reduction in service.

Build it reight- big- and 'they will come'

With the large population of this facility's catchment area, it would be blindly shortsighted to build anything less than an 8 lane, 50 meter pool (with adequate viewing area), a weight training area, a track or gymnasium, even a rink! This MUST be a full service facility and should be viewed not as an expensive drain on HRM's budget, but as an investment in the future health of our population.

we fully support this initiative.

planning to move cp in near future

I have a growing family with 3 small children. Currently we use Northcliff for swimming and this is obviously an inferior facility. We were so excited when we itially learned our community would be getting the facilities it needs. Then we were totally disappointed to discover so much money was being spent on recreation facilities that would not come close to meeting the needs of families like ours. You must do the right thing while there is still time!

I want it built right as well!

There is no point in wasting money on a facility that fails to meet the broad needs of the community it is designed to serve. I am appalled by the lack of vision exhibited by HRM staff and the area's councillors as well as their failure to properly engage the community in the planning process. I fully support the actions that the Action Group is undertaking and hope that you will be successful in getting the HRM to "see the light".

I feel with the amount of people in this area, we should have a proper Sportplex. I have had to join the Sportplex in Sackville because there is noting in my area that fits what I need, except for Northcliff, which a also support.

I support what you are doing 100% as this facitily should be able to host major competitions to bring much needed exposure and money into Halifax and Nova Scotia .

I am a former resident of the Clayton Park area and feel that there needs to be a re-evaluation of the requirements for the people in the area. The population is continually growing and the
facilities put in place must be able to sustain, support, and attract residents.

I have worked at this pool for the past year and have been swimming in it for almost 15 years. the current options for the pool will not allow us to provide the community with anywhere near the type of serviaces that we do now and more people would have to be turned away. we need a better option, one which serviaces the needs of the community and the surrounding areas. we need to be able to provide the full scope of programs, at least the ones that are able to be offered now. in order for fairness to all we need a facility like the one that is currently in place or a larger one.

The three proposed options for Mainland Common Recreation Facility that I have seen do not adequately address the needs of the rapid growing population of the areas it is expected to service. It appears that none of the three options meet HRM's stated goals of providing "A state of the art, multi-dimensional facility to serve residents of the western region of Halifax Regional Municipality for the next 30 years by providing a venue for activities that promotes healthy and active living."

If this stated goal is to met, a larger facility that provides more services including: indoor/outdoor tennis courts, Raquet and sqash courts, track and feild facilities, diving facilities, more than 6 swiming lanes, a gymnasium, and arena must be considered. This area is one of the fastest growing tax bases in Atlantic Canada. It would be shortsited to think that any one of the three currently tabled options will come close to adequately sevicing the area for the next 30 years.

HRM should be fighting tooth and nail for a truely "state of the art multi- dimensional facility" that could be usefull in attracting world class sporting competitions to HRM.

The currently proposed options seem short sighted to say the least. Where is the vision?

We need to be far-sighted in providing the proper recreational services for the Halifax area.

I think the proposal by the HRM is a slap in the face,we deserve bigger and better,look at Cole Harbour place,sportsplex and Sackville sports centre,they are in smaller places than Halifax.Wake up and see what the people want not what you want to save money

This process needs to be halted, the community needs to be fully engaged and a facility that will meet the needs of this ever-expanding community into the future is essential.

I feel that a new recreation facility needs to be built. Northcliffe if past its prime. Clayton Park's population has grown in a huge way and we need to compensate for this by building a bigger and better facility. We need a building with a large pool;that has a deep and shallow end and room for people that just want to swim laps while casual swimming is going on. I also think there should be a wading pool for smaller children. Another excellent idea is to have a playground outside of this new building for children to play on before and after swimming;which is what Northcliffe has.

I am a varsity swimmer with Dalhousie. I think its about time a new facility is built. But to build a facility that is not up to standards or will become out dated once finished is rediculous. Either build a proper facility, or save the money until you can.

Having grown up in Fairview , Northcliffe was effectively my second home. I learned to swim there, and as a young adult I lifeguarded, taught swimming lessons and eventually supervised various pools in the HRM. It seems shortsighted to provide the residents of Mainland North, a growing community with a large youth population, with a facility that serves the region less than NCRC currently does. Build it right.

Hoping that HRM will see the error of it's ways.

A nice 200m indoor track is well-needed in this city. Dalplex is expensive and is not enough to service the needs of our local athletes.

Thanks,
Aaron

Please build a proper running track so that we can train on it!!!

Build it with a real 200m track.

Nothing short of a olympic size pool and a banked 200m indoor track facility would be worthwhile.

Look at the new Dome in Ottawa as a prime example (Not that 400m is required but soccer and other sports can use the inside of the track. Give the AUS a proper venue to host its campionships and compete at home. Maybe even host another successful CIS Championships

The track and field community in HRM and in NS in general need a solid track and field indoor facility as well...we need it to include a full 200 meter track and throwing / jumping facilities if possible. Thank you.

Gerard Blank signed petition at Dartmouth Sportsplex swim meet last Saturday. We also tried to advise that we would put a sign on our lawn but the message would not go through because it was posted by a non member to a members only posted list!

Thanks - Sandra

This facility needs to serve us for 30 years...look how much JUST Clayton Park has grown in only the last 3 YEARS!!! HRM....come on...we need to decrease obesity (which is rampant in our youth right now)and see to it that our future citizenshave access to affordable accessible fitness options. Let's do this together and do it right. PLEASE! ~kim~

As a high level athlete living in the Halifax Regional mnicipality I am shocked to learn that the new facility will not include a 200m indoor track. This makes no sense. We have NO facility in Atlantic Canada that contains such a track and it would be utterly useless to build a facility in the HRM without a proper track. It would not only be useful for walkers, but also keeping kids active and giving those of us with asperations of Olympic Games a reason to stay here in Atlantic Canada rather then fleeing to British Columbia or Ontario. Build it right.

If you're going to build it, build the facility with a 200m indoor track.

I am pleased to see this project being developed. However, it is dissapointing that the community's vision is so small. A multi functional facility must also include things such as a 200m indoor track, cardio facilities and weight training facilities, not to mention basketball courts and aerobics areas. In order to address the physical fitness needs of the entire community, I would like to see a plan that caters to everyones needs, as opposed to those of people who already have a functional, if crumbling, facility.
thank you

Do the city a favour and build it right

The city already has a "walking track" in Dalplex, what we need is a 200m indoor track for RUNNING.

A well built outdoor facility will benefit everyone from casual walkers to runners wanting to train hard.

200m track should be in the plans to accomadate a growing track and field program in Nova Scotia . Halifax is the only major city in Canada with no indoor track facility.

This type of a facility is very needed for the city, we want the ability to host large competitions appropriately, and have the best opportunities for training so that we can be competitive with the rest of the county. If this is not "Built Right" it would be limiting our opportunities as athlets, and downplaying the possible accomplishments of Haligonians! Build It Right!

Please build a good one with a reasonable sized track and not just a walking track. Build the track right. If it can be run on, THEN it can also be walked on.

It is important to take the time now to consider how to address both current and future needs.

I am very unhappy with the current proposals. My daughter's synchronozed swimming will not be accomodated if the pools are too shallow in any of the options. That is not acceptable to me, as their group will have no place to practice when Northcliffe is gone. The new recreation center should accomodate swim teams as well.

Indoor track and field is a growing sport in Atlantic Canada. Nova Scotia currently does not have an indoor track facility, and the Halifax region could greatly benefit from one. Firstly, with both Dalhousie and Saint Mary's University's in such close proximity to this new location, and especially with Dalhousie's high success at the National level with this sport, having such high calibre facilities could greatly benefit our training. Also, by having proper facilities, we would be able to host meets at the commons, which will bring more money to the city. This would put Halifax , Nova Scotia , and Atlantic Canada on the national map for indoor track and field.

We should be planning for the future growth of that area. Providing a facility that can accomodate the population and encourage active living is something everyone should support!

Would be nice to see a competition ready 200m indoor track, with jump pits etc.

if anything is worth doing, it is worth doing it right. It will be less expensive, and better received/used by the community (and visitors to the area) if it is "built right" at the beginning. Do not build something inefficient which will not meet current/future needs just to meet a time-line.

Don't waste the money on something how fast done. Make it worthwhile. We really need this for the commuunity and for our sport

make a track for everyone to use

We need a facility that will take our community into the future - a community of active people. A facility similar to the Dartmouth Sports Plex and the Sackville Sportsplex are essential. The recreation center will serve a large geographic area that currently has a number of old facilities.

Rollerblading illegal on the streets of halifax , as well, halifax is in the top 3 provinces for leading in obesity, heart disease, CV disease, pulmonary disorders, etc. ALL of these can be prevented with physical activity, so make a facility that will make it easier and more accesible for the HRM to become more fit. 2.1 billion is spent on health care related only to physical inactivity. a 10% reduction in the prevalence of inactivity can decrease health care expediture by 150 million a year. THIS MONEY CAN BE USED FOR FACILITIES to be built properly, to help prevent the diseases of physical inactivity.

My understanding is that the current plans include
some sort of useless walking track and other mostly inadequate

facilities. You should "build it right" and include a proper 200m running track.
track,

We need a proper indoor track in Halifax ! There is no need to build a use less space like you are planning. We could hold a variety in events in the area if we have the proper facility. BUILD A 200m TRACK

BUILD A 200m track PLEASE. There is no need to build anything if you are not going to do it right! We need a proper place to train and host meets!

WE NEED A REAL TRACK IN HALIFAX !

Please Build a regulation competative 200M indoor track!!! Please!! This track would be an amazing addition to the HRM. Currently there is no 200m track in atlantic canada , and there really should be one. The gagetown track, and the Dalplex track are not good enough for the Canadian University Sport Regulations. Please build it right!!

Given some of the centres we've visited around the Maritimes (including Cole Harbour Place)- we are extremely surprised and disappointed that HRM would not address this growing community wih appropriate facilities for the short and long terms.

I would like it if the track and field facility had a 200m track so that competitive events could be hosted.

this would eb a great addition.

do it right.

Our athletes deserve proper facilities!

My parents always told me.. If your going to do a job, don't just do it so its done, do it so its done right!

It would be a shame to build a facility that does not serve the needs of the community, immediate, short term and long term. Build it right, and build it now.

please include a 200m track for the runners and more active physical activity than just walking

Please pay attention to these emails. Let's get it done right the first time. I was recently visiting family in Ottawa and saw nephews playing hockey in 2 different amazing community recreation centers..my immediate comment was, why don't we have a facility like that in our area? This is needed. This will promote healthy lifestyles.

I support this petition

I have seen way too many municipalities ( Guelph , Kitchener, Waterloo ) pour millions of dollars into facilities that are "the best we can do" but turn out to be useless because they aren't suitable to hold any sort of event there. I have also seen municipalities ( Whitehorse , Windsor) wait until they can build a facility that is functional where they can attract people to. I would hate to see Halifax make the same mistake and waste money on a facility that will never bring in revenue or attract visitors and competition.

With a growing family, I will need the right facility for the whoel family. What kind of consultations are happening?

50.m. was turned down by builders of Dart SportsPlex. New pools can now have both with a variable level bottom; seen in Vancouver , BC .

Long term vision is critical here, if this is not done right future generations will suffer

athletes deserve proper facitlies!

Build it right the first time through!

Built it right, don't cheap out.

The site should be built to meet the needs of the residents now, yet still be able to meet the needs of future residents. These facilities need to be built right, in order to accomodate everyone.

I support the development of a facility that will truly meet the needs of this community both today and into the future. I support the Build It Right committee and applaud their efforts to work successfully with HRM looking into the future needs of the community.

I think that this community needs to look forward and ensure that the needs of future generations are met. I fully support the efforts of the Build It Right Committee, Option D is my recommendation.

i feel it should be built right if it is going to be done at all

please just build a decent track that can be used to host competitions

BUILD IT RIGHT!!! There are no good indoor running facilities in Nova Scotia for cometition and training.

Please consider building a 8lane 50meter pool - absolutely necessary, especially since the future of Centennial is uncertian.

I write from an experienced competitive simming viewpoint. I represented Nova Scotia nationally and Canada internationally for 7 years during my swimming career with Dalhousie University and the Halifax Trojans. The proposed pool should be a hybrid leisure and competitive facility. HRM would be well advised to consider that in order to host the Commonwealth Games or any muti-sport Games we need a facilty that meets international competive standards(10 lanes 50 m long). Build it now or build it again later. None of the proposals are worthwhile. Why would we basically replace whats already there?...and availiable several times over in HRM. Newer doesn't mean better it means newer. Lets do this right, make it better. I want Halifax to be the logical choice to host the Canada Cup, Commonwealth Cames, CIS Championships, Canada Games, World Cup...etc. We have an incredible opportunity here - do it right or save our money and don't do it at all.

An Olympic-calibre pool absolutely needs to be built. This is the only hope for Halifax to host any national or international aquatics competitions.

Let's really look at the needs. when Northcliffe became too small, which din't take long the ability to enroll children in swim programs became a real burden and nuisance to many parents, because if you were not already in there it was difficult to get a spot.

Make it accessible to as many people as possibleand really look ahead to the needs for the next thirty years. Too small to start does not work. We have seen it in the size of the new schools built in the area, which are filled to capacity as they open.

Fully agree that trhis proposed pool will not meet the needs of the community

We spend too much $$$ re-doing or revising work that is not done right the first time. (eg. schools built too small for the area) Let's not go down the same road this time.

Do it right the first time - I will cost a lot more to try to renovate later on.

HRM needs an 8 lane 50 metre pool

HRM's current plan does not have enough vision; but a budget driven project which is not good enough for the majority public.

We live in an apartment and did not receive a paper version. In our household we are looking for a broader version and not the options currently proposed by HRM

We need a fieldhouse with a 200m track capable of hosting competitions and training of runners and for seniors and others to use for walking.

From what I have seen none of the 3 options offered by the City are rational. It's somewhat shocking that the recreation dept would be so shortsighted. It's hard to believe, but they don't appear to understand aquatics in it's broad sense.

Mainland North is growing, we need to plan properly and provide a Olympic size pool, plan for dry land activities such as walking tracks for our aging poplulation, providing a safe walking track, etc.

At a minimum I would like to see a replacement pool at least the size, if not larger, than the existing pool at Northcliffe, and a walking/running track.

Great idea for a new pool BUT it simply can not be SMALLER than Centennial is now. Think about the future and build it right. OR refurbish Centennial. It seems sad to close down such a fabulous pool. Why not BOTH!

I definitely support expanding the current plans for the new pool. A 4 lane pool will not be adequate to address the need.

I believe HRM is being short sighted. "Build-it and they will". come

Northcliffe center is the closet pool to our area and we would eventually use the new community center, it wouldn't be functional for it to be so small. It would be used by more then the immediately surrounding areas.

Build it! Build it!

We need a facility that meets the needs of all the facility users. This includes those who use it for leisure and those looking for a place to work on the competitive aspects of their sport, whether it be swimming, synchro or diving. The facilty needs to replace what is being lost by the closing of other pools around Metro.

The 3 options currently under discussion do not now meet the needs of the community. We do need to build it right for today and the future.

I look forward to see what the new pool will look like, it was long overdue

What better investment can a government make in the community than to build a first-class facility that promotes the health and well-being of its residents!

some vision to the future value of health in Halifax citizens is advised.

As a resident of a community with an undersized recreational centre, I urge HRM to look to the future when planning the centre for the Mainland Common area.

A healthy Halifax should be everyone's goal ~ how can this be achieved without better fitness facilities and easier access? Our goals should be to encourage those people who donâ€Tt exercise enough right now, rather than deterring the already converted. Small, over-crowded facilities deter even the converted.

Build it - but build it right.

Too often we have built infrastructure that meets the needs of yesterday and today. What we need is a vision for the needs of tomorrow so that facilities are not obsolete or inadequate before they are even finished.

There is insufficient vision to the development of this facility. Quality in the project and in the proposal is poor. The remaining needs must be scheduled and integrated in to the development plan. Lacrosse needs an indoor facility.

I am the President of the Dartmouth chapter of Metro Minor Lacrosse. I see a dire need for this facility as of now. In the near future we will not be able to accomodate all the kids that wish to participate.

By building what is planned at this time is simply throwing money out the window. We as a community lack sufficant ice time, lacrosse, swimming and other recreaional facilties.

The current proposed facility is not adequate for the population and demographic in the Clayton Park and surrounding areas. A more comprehensive facility is required.

The current process should halt and the HRM should do it right for once in their history and not alter after the fact, as usual.

Now is the time to think long term. Please don't build something that will be too small before it is complete!

This facility should also incorporate a space suitable for indoor box lacrosse.

Don't be short sighted! Build it Right the first time!

Lacrosse is the fast growing sport in Canada and we need arena floor time. Rinks want to keep the ice in longer and longer every year. St Margaret's Centre now has two surfaces and I'm told we'll have lees time available to play lacrosse this year because they're keeping the ice in longer. Please build something with lacrosse in mind!

I currently go to Northcliffe to participate in programs not available in my area. I would relish a facility that provided me with option to do Masters swim or synchronized swimming (2 things currently not available at wave pool in my area). Clayton Park is close by & easily accessible via Dunbrack (10 minute drive).

If we are going to spend money, do it right so that it will last. We need a new olympic style facility that would attract lots of things. I would like to see my tax $s spent on something that will last into the future & not just a few years. Darrmouth has great facilities. It is time Halifax had one.

I definately want to see the quad plex built with a floor set aside for lacrosse

I feel the proposal (D)is the best one as the centenial is getting old and it may be time to build a couple of new rinks in one complex and pool similar to the Cole Harbour Place. I think I remember seeing something in the paper concerning bidding on commom wealth games .This could be project to prepare for these games. It makes good business sense to do it right the first time - it would be a project that would be good for the community now and good for our future. We are a growing community with many young families - we want to keep our children fit and this is the way to do it.

I would love a quadplex with a dedicated lacrosse floor

we are the taxpayers, we need a proper facility built. Build it right the first time by listening to the community

We drive to Halifax Centennial Pool because Cole Harbour Place was not designed for competitive swimming, please don't do it again.

let's go!

I swam at Northcliffe as a child, which means the pool is getting old. Please replace it with something comparable to what has been provided at places like Cole Harbour Place and at the Wave pool.

None of the options currently proposed are sufficient to service this area. A 50 meter pool with 8 lanes, and a diving area are a must for the aquatic portion of the plan.

I am not sure why there is limited vison on HRM's part to decrease the size of the facility. When, in the current models for community growth it depicts a rapidly growing community. To name a few "full service" recreational facilities, Cole Harbour , Dartmouth Sportsplex and the William Spry Centre. With the explosion of the population in this community, it would warrant a "full service" rec centre. There are many ages who could benefit from all services being under one roof. Not having it piece meal throughout the community.

As a community we continue to hear the numbers about childhood obesity. A "full-service" centre could accommodate the family unit. It will encourage activity enjoyed by the family.

Thank you.

I agree 100% that if the money is going into building this wonderful facility then it should be built to accommodate the population it will serve.

I have been a life long resident of Halifax and have lived in Park West for 9 years. There are very few recreational facilities in this area when one considers the population. I am tired of seeing all levels of government do things on the cheap and that we the tax payer will have to pay more for later. Do it right the first time. Build the Recreation facility that the community needs now and in the future not what it needed 5 years ago.

A legitimate 200m indoor track would provide the area with the ability to host events that would have positive effects on the city. People in the city who participate in athletics (Quite a number, considering the presence of university athletes) would benefit tremendously from an indoor facility that we have never had before. Despite the fact that other major Canadian cities feel the need to honour the ideals of sport and community participation, and generally all of them provide the necessary facilities, (Montreal has several) Halifax disgracefully has failed to provide them. The time is perfect for finally correcting that.

Halifax needs a proper facility. Dartmouth , Sackville, and Cole Harbor have theirs...where is ours!

HRM is trying to saddle us with whatever can be built with their poorly thought out funding provisions that were never enough from the very beginning and are even more inadequate with inflation in construction prices over the past 3 years. Their promise that this is only the first phase shouldn't be beleived. If HRM builds option 2, and that is what they ihtend to do, we will be stuck with with this small, inadequate facility for 20 years.

this propose rec centre is nothing more than swimming pool. i was part of the orginal committee and met several times until we were dismissed without reasons.our plans were to include much more than a pool.the area that is proposed will not allow for expansion.

I would like to see a facility similar to Cole Harbour Place and Dartmouth Sportsplex with swimming pools, gyms, and skating rinks under one roof.

Our community is growing rapidly, and we need to consider the growth and size now of our area.

A pool that is less than Olympic-size cannot serve all members of the community; it cannot support competitive swimming, synchronized swimming, diving, nor proper swimming lessons.

We want it build right.

At the very least, we need a new rink, even 2, and a pool that is more that 25 metres and 4 lanes!

I have been involved with this for over a year as Past President of the Hfx Trojan Aquatic Club. This is a typical example of our Municipal Gov't taking responsibility for the constituents and their families. To put refurbishing Northcliffe as an option shows what the key decision makers actually know with regard to athletic activity in this area. To all those who organized "build it right" CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

I was born in Halifax and raised in the various pools and sports facilities of the city. I believe I am the healthy, energized adult I am today due to the resources I had as a child, learning discipline, commitment, and active living through the cities sports & recreational facilities. Small facilities for large numbers are a waste of time. The Citizen Action Group is absolutely correct; build it right!

Please listen to what the swimmers want!!!

HRM needs the Centennial Pool for all the community training programs that take place there like the diving, water polo classes, swimming lessons, etc. We are supposed to be encouraging our community to be ACTIVE - how we will continue these wonderful active programs without the proper sized facilities?

Please make the new center big enough for our growing community.

we must consider a larger facility

The HRM needs to continue to support the existence of olympic-size swimming pools. Many groups such as youth and masters swim teams and the Halifax Triathlon Club (which I am part of) use such facilities on a regular basis. Since our population has increased in the last few decades and because now more than ever there are concerns with obese youth and health and fitness, it is imperitive that new swimming facilities be built to service the fitness needs of our community.

NOTE: I have signed online once already but feel the need to make another comment in the face of new information.

I just heard that closing Centennial Pool may be one of the side effects of this new project. I am a professional athlete and a very active member of the athletic community, through coaching and participation in various groups. As such, I feel I am in a good position to say that getting rid of what is one of the only THREE 50m pools in ALL OF ATLANTIC CANADA, as well as the most centrally located and one of the most financially accessible pools in the city, would have a direct negative effect on many residents.

Halifax is starting to become a popular spot for high performance athletes in various sports, as the coaching and financial resources for young talent to stay in the Maritimes slowly increase. Personally, I am currently working on a project to bring a National Triathlon Centre to the city, and there are several other similar projects in the works which could be directly affected by the decisions that are made regarding the pool, track, and other facilities associated with this new project.

As you are surely aware, the presence of successful high performance athletes in a region has a significant effect on athletic participation in that region, which translates to improved overall fitness, lower health care costs, and better quality of life. Please don't shoot us in the foot by taking away what precious little infrastructure we have and replacing it with something that is both inadequate and to many, inaccessible.

Thank you,
Aaron Webb

This type of facility does not help the swim clubs.

Consideration should be given to supporting an active healthy lifestyle and club development

HRM's 3 options are rediculous and small-minded. They need to listen the community and give them what is required and requested.

I was part of the initial planning committee along with Ms. Whalen. I was pushing all along for a facility such as Dart. Sportsplex, Cole Harbour Place or Sackville Sports Stadium. I thought when the more formalized committee was established, we were well on our way to this end. I was wrong. An interesting consideration in all of this is the Commonwealth Games bid. The city may be holding off on committing to a larger recreational facility until after the final vote on whether Halifax gets the 2014 Games. If Halifax is successful, a new pool would have to be built, quite possibly in Shannon Park, thus Halifax West may lose out. The city would not want to build two large pools at the same time.
There has been a lack of leadership at all levels of gov't on this project, municipal, provincial and federal, as often happens with cost sharing arrangements. This project is too big for a community committee to run. The city, with community involvement needs to be extremely active in this whole project. I was told by a city staffer that this was the most money, $3+ million, that has ever been committed to a recreation project. Well, I say, it's time to start thinking big because that is what is happening to Halifax West, we are growing!

The proposed option is not sufficient for the needs of swimmers in our community. What we have already seems much better than the proposed facility. Please don't limit our ability to swim!

Choosing an exsisting option proposed by the city will cost us more in the long run; when we have to build/renovate agian because it does not meet the needs of the whoe community it is supposed to serve.

Go Big or Stay home!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This facility would serve more than just the mainland common. Those of us living on the outskirts are inclined to come use a facility such as this, so please Build it Right. Thank you.

It is time to stop building infrastructure in this city that is undersized from "day-one"!

The new pool you propose to build is in NO WAY big enough to accomadate everyone who uses these facilities!

We can do better, our children need a better solution

This would be an irreparable mistake if it goes forward. A huge waste of money.

Although the new facility location sounds practical it really does seem like a small pool. Since it may eventually replace two existing pool sites I'm assuming it will draw in alot of users. I traveled on a small swim team as a child and as a adult relocated often. So I've seen a pretty good share of indoor pools and usually 25 meter, 4 lane pools are in towns and small cities. Admittedly I still have a limited knowledge of Halifax being here a short time. My impressions so far are that it is the Hub of Atlantic Canada and definately not a small place.

BUILD IT RIGHT seems to say it all!

Spend a little more now, save later.

we have 3 young children and we all use northcliff and it is not family friendly.we need a big multi use building that will meet all needs

lets build for the future not for
past.

As a member of the Halifax Triathlon Club, I use Centennial Pool on a regular basis. I fear that our time there would be limited if the facility was downsized. Please rethink the current proposal for the new swim facility.

You must build a facility that keeps the need of the larger community in mind. A four lane 25 meter pool just doen't
do the job for the future or present. You will have built in obsilescence.

Every new building or facility seems to be built without thought of expanding populations and the facility (e.g. Park West School ) is obsolete for meeting the needs of the Community after the first year it is open. Let's not make such costly mistakes again. By "costly mistakes" I mean in space as well as complete usage by the whole Community. This time let's use Common Sense and BUILD IT RIGHT

This area is growing and requires substantially more than has been proposed. A completely new approach is required that will lead to a facility the City can be proud of - not the inadequate proposal currently being offered.

As a former Physical Educator in our public school system, I am amazed that HRM has such limited plans for the new Mainland Common facility. Surely, we can look to a pool that will meet at least the minimum of Olympic standards. Must we always be at the forefront of compromise? With a Commonwealth Games bid on the table, and the chance to raise the bar across all of Metro, let's "do it right".

With clayton park growing as fast as it is ....the proper facility will play a huge role in this growth

We deserve a sporsplex to accomodate the needs of our community.

I lived for years on Birkdale St. , just down the road from the Northcliffe Pool. It was not then capable of providing the services required for that community. With that area growing so rapidly, the new facility must be built properly so that the entire community will benifit. Please do not do what they did at Park West School . that school was full before it opened, with no planning for growth in the community at all.

Be pro-active, make sure this facility works for the community as a whole.

I agree we need to build it right-if the city plans to bid for the commanwealth games we need to look to the future

It's about time Fairview had a decent community centre. It is long overdue.

We choose Option C - New Building

The community is to large and getting larger, so build it bigger!!!!

I believe we should have a facility very similiar to the Dartmouth sportsplex, especially if it needs to serve a pop. of about 200,000. Please build it right!
The current ideas are too small and insufficient! Build it right! Thank you for allowing me to express my opinion on this very important topic.

I really enjoy swimming 3 times a week at Centennial. Any pool opened as a replacement should be of at least of a similar - if not greater - capacity.

I returned the paper copy, voting for Option 3, but I prefer Build It Right, Option 4

As a whole Halifax is thinking small scale and band-aid approach.Let's attack the future and build a total sports package that will serve the current population and the future.If projects are done properly there will be great spin-offs for the whole community- for example a 4-plex ice arena that could host tournaments through-out the year.Let's start all-over and get a plan that to meet many needs in the community.

I have not signed the card received by mail with choices A,B and C, though my husband signed C before knowing about this one.

I would like to see a suitable aquatics facility built, with a pool equal in size to Centennial.

Please keep me informed concerning what is going on and I will try to become more active.
Danny

Option B appears to be a good one for now. BUT, the size is smaller than what we have presently. Option C is a preferred size but has a huge dollar amount to be raised and having an extra 2 years to wait for it (with the possibility of having Northcliff closed before opening is not acceptable). My question would be can option B be completed within the time specified and be ready for expansion to option C without hurting programs? How is a community to raise $8 million? How was Cole Harbour Place completed?

It is incredible that the government is this short-sighted on this issue. Build it right the first time, and then you won't be scrambling in a few years to accommodate the 30 thousand plus people that live in this area.

I feel none of the options will fit the age groups we have, I also want to see an indoor walking track.

An opportunity to leave a lasting legasy.

Listen to the people and Built it Right the first time. Additions always cost more later.

We definately need more swimming and recreation facilities with in the HRM. Most facilities are too small and out of date. PLease do not make the same mistake that was made in Tantallon, the facility there was built with a single minded narrow vision that only caters to a very small segment of the local population.

The need for a long term recreation facility in this area is very important

I believe the facility should be built to better meet the needs of the public and not continue as currently proposed.

as a potential future resident of the area effected by this decision, and an interested citizen of HRM, I support the Build It Right petition

planning is very important. we will not have the funds to build again for a while. Can we design and build with future generations in mind? not like the new dal building, flooding in three years but like the armory and citadel. and meeting the needs of the community. that is truly a government action.

We need a facility with a pool that can accommodate all age and activity levels.A pool that both competitive swimmers and weak swimmers can use.Adults who like to swim but who still like to be able to touch the bottom.The Centennial pool does provide for this;the new facility should be able to offer patrons no less than this!Thanks.

once again I see no submission for Mainland south so the best possible solution for us is with mainland common

If you don't have the money to build the facility that the public wants and needs, the public will help you to raise money for a proper facility. Why not look into sponsors too? Maybe it could be the Adidas Sport Center or something similar to get more funds. Building a facility like the one planned is useless and pointless, you may as well build nothing. Very wasteful, I doubt the facility will be even used, a boycott should be planned. This is contributing in a major way to the current obesity and fitness crises in this country.

Thank you for bringing this issue to the forefront. It would have slipped completely by me if it were not for people at the Sobey's store asking me to sign a petition. I had no knowledge of what the city was offering or how absolutely inadequate it is ( in otherwords a waste of money). Your website is very informative. I plan to become involved on some level as your statemets regarding "doing the right thing will bring the support required" Mobilizing our community will be exciting when the community sees what an asset the new facility could be to them (and as you say all of Halifax). Build it they will come certainly pertains here. Halifax is desperately void of modern fitness facilities. The entire city could embrace this project.

As a frequent user of the Northcliff pool I do not see the point of spending money to build something less than what we have already got. IF WE CANNOT HAVE SOMETHING BETTER, JUST FIX UP WHAT WE HAVE!!!!.

Listen to what the users say. Users of all ages swim. Those with disabilities swim. All should learn to swim. Wasting money on glitz ie dance studio isn't what users need. Not anti dance but it isn't a need.

Build It Right could not better state the reason for this communities reaction to HRM's plans which do not come close to the needs of a community recreation center.We do not need the swimming facilities as outlined and planned by HRM what we do need is a full size swimming pool around which a full recrtreation center can be planned. What HRM has planned is a waste of funds and does not come close to the needs of the community. PLEASE BUILD IT RIGHT

I agree that this facility should be built looking forward to the needs of the community that is the fastest growing one in the province. Please Build It Right.

I agree with the Build It Right Committee. Let'ds not be short sighted.

I am not sure why the Clayton Park catch area does not deserve facilities that Dartmouth folks have or Sackville folks have. Our population and our tax base should easily put us on equal footing as to facilities.

I can't believe the city has removed signs I have an interesting story about the 10 ft city land.

This is crucial not only for families and children, but also for the ever growing retirement community that are trying to stay healthy! I am willing to do what I can to help with this important initiative! Don't hesitate to call me if you need an extra voice (or set of hands!)

spend the right amount of money now

didn't pay attention too much until the signs were taken down- if you are putting any more up, I'll be happy to put one on my lawn! You have gotten some good publicity from all this, to look on the bright side.

I am tired of seeing expenditures from all levels of government elsewhere in HRM. The area around the proposed site for the new facility features one of the largest municipal districts by population, one of the fastest growing, and surely one of the largest contributors to municipal revenue from property tax.

I strongly wish to see government incorporate the wishes of the community into the design, and commit to more of the financial burden inherent in constructing, a new facility.

Option D - Build It Right!

I believe that the current options suggested by HRM are very inappropriate for this community and it's ongoing future growth. HRM should be more strategic in their planning for this project.

We need a facility similar to Cole Harbour Place or Sackville given the population. You need to work from prospective data, not retrospective census data

As a physician, I realize the great importance of physical fitness on physical and emotional health and wel being. All levels of government should be financially supporting fitness to help reduce health costs!

I agree that we should have an option D. There should not be dancing, etc. to compete with the private sector, but we should have swimming, meeting rooms, fitness, etc. similar to cole harbour place. Build-it right. Do not waste our money, Built-it -right!!

As a former Halifax resident that looks forward to coming back to raise a family in the future I am dismayed and the lack of insight all levels of government are displaying with this improtant development.

Listen to the community and "Build it Right"!

HRM is going to miss out on an opportunity to be involved in a Project that is sure to be a winner. We only need to look across the harbour to see the benefits Cole Harbour Place has given to its local residents - and it is self-sufficient. What is HRM afraid of? Maybe some of the decision makers should take a tour of CHP and Centennial Arena, look at the populations of each area, then decide. I have a son in minor-hockey and I see it as a disgrace that the youth can't get ice time for practices in an area this size.

Come on, Halifax - Build it Right!

Laying groundwork now for future events like Commonwealth Games makes a ton of sense.

WE deserve this and need this as much as Cole Harbour and Sackville. We pay higher taxes and get less. DO it Right!

Please make the right choices with this project and Build it Right!!

Build for the future, and for a strong healthy community.

The pool needs to be functional for all who want to use it. Lane swimmers have
just as much right to space as classes do.

I am a regular user of Northcliffe and would like to see the new center built properly to serve all people who will use this facility. A bigger pool is necessary as the current one is too small and a proposed 4 lane new one is not going to be large enough. Encouraging people to be active is great but make sure there is a place where one can swim without having to share the lane with 5 and 6 people. Trust me is is not fun or relaxing having to do this!

I agree with option D and the fact that the 3 options proposed by HRM are insufficient to meet the growing needs of the community of 200,000 people in the catchment area.
Thanks!

The dimensions of this pool would not allow for competitive swim meets to take place and I think they should be rethought.

We need more top class swimming facilities in our city. Please, let<s make swimming a physical activity that is more visible and accessible to all. Swimming is a life-long activity for all shapes and sizes and an olympic-type pool will encourage this. I have lived in many places and miss good swimming venues since arriving in Hfx.area. Please help create more top quality venues.

Our family would like to see it is built right. There is a large community outside of direct metro (within 20 minutes) that do drive
for the programs and leisure activities. I would enjoy a more centralized up to date large complex that could offer the community proper programs and facilities that suit our needs. Metro is growing more and more.

Please build it right the first time. Mainland North is a large are with many adults and younger people who need a traditional pool.

the facility should be proprotionate to the growing community in which it will lie.

Please...please take the time to do this right.....

I am currently taking a Community development class at Dal and would like to say that what you are doing is GREAT!!! The government needs to realize that it is the local community who knows how to best meet its own needs.

With the level of taxes we pay relative to the services provided, the HRM should be prepared to lower the taxes in our area, if they will not invest in it. Maybe reduce the number of councillors would be the best solution to start.

As a family who currently drives to Sackville for swimming lessons in the winter - we need a decent sized pool that would allow multiple groups to use it during peak times. thank you!

Best of luck

option 4 build it right

I truly believe the proposed plans are embarrassing for residents in our area!

i own a local martial arts and after school business. I am very concerned about HRM's plans for the new Recreation center. If i can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Building a proper facility that costs more is not an additional expense - it is an investment that will pay dividends not only with increased usage but with the return on diminished health care costs for a more active community. Think ahead!

There's no point in building a faciltiy that will need to be renovated and expanded a few years down the road. We should really build it right,the first time, and make it sustainable for our community.

An iota of foresight on behalf of HRM would be appreciated. Build It Right.

Build IT Right The First Time

HRM needs to look at and take serious the opinions of the public. You want to attract Commonwealth Games but only want to build a 4 maybe 6 lane 25 m pool ? Doesn't make sense

Get it right the first time or don't bother wasting my precious municipal tax dollars.

I don't understand why they can give other areas of HRM centers that meet the needs of the community such as Dartmouth Sportsplex, Cole Harbour Place and Sackville Sports Stadium.We pay taxes just those areas and deserve to have the facilities they have. I have to drive my 3 children to Sackville for swimming lessons as Northcliffe is just not acceptable.My children also attend the Sackville skating club because the costs of the Halifax skating club are 3 times as much due to the fact that affordable ice time due to no facilities is not available. I really don't understand the reasoning behind these designs.If we have to get involved to make this happen,ask the community and we will step up and get involved. Thank you for giving us a voice through this website and the build it right group.

Support Build-it-right

One only has to look at facilities such as the one in Amherst Nova Scotia to see that building small leisure pools does little to support diverse and adequate aquatic programming. It would be very short sighted to build a new facilty that is more like a hotel pool than a real swimming pool that can meet the needs of the local community and beyond. The potential to generate revenue is also greatly diminished when a variety of programs that maximize space cannot be accommodated. A corner of a pool designed for a tarzan rope will never get approved for a diving block and a shallow pool will never work for sycronized swimming, diving, a good game of water polo, kayaking, or scuba. A three or four lane pool with irregular sides and powerful jets that cause swimmers to turn sideways as they attempt to swim laps is not good design, no matter how nice it may look. Having speedy teenagers try to find space to train with steady seniors with only 4 lanes is asking for anguish. In fact try to keep peace with 6 lanes and a range of abilities in any lane swim ...........easier said than done! I have first hand experience with the Amherst pool and it's one of the main reasons I moved from there. And when our pool in Wolfville closed for repairs last year I drove to Halifax to swim at Centennial Pool - three times a week. When I can I swim at the Dalplex and of course there are many of us who count on facilities in Halifax for competitions. Atlantic Canada will continue to lose it's most talented athletes, coaches and instructors if cannot offer decent facilities for them to train in. And without successful role models and programs that meet the needs of all levels of participation for all ages where do we find our inspiration???

Make the right decision and plan for the future!

It works in Cole Harbour and Sackville, why not in Mainland Common!

I am a competitive triathlete currently paying memberships at both Centennial Pool and Nubodys because we don't have a public facility with everything under one roof . Smarten up Halifax , stop looking at this as an expense and look at the potential for revenue . I am shelling out over $700 every year someplace else . If you build any of your three proposals I will continue to spend my money elsewhere . Build something I can use . My money is waiting .

Let's hope that with the bid for the Commonwealth Games in the works HRM will "Build It Right". HRM is consistantly underestimating the exponential growth of our city so we must remind them to think ahead and look at the big picture.

I believe that the pursuit of any of the three options set forth by the municipality's committee would be in gross disregard to our comunities' wishes. It would be insulting to our rapidly expanding area to construct a facility that is the same size as Northcliffe, which has been obselite for years. Invest in our future!!

Don't close Centennial.

I Concur

I concur

Nova Scotia and Halifax needs to develop its water polo program - we don't even send a team to the Canada Games

This area needs a facility that will support the growing population .It is important to look to the future .The P3 school that was build is already bursting at the seams because of poor planning .Thus it is important to have insight when planning the Rec center for this area.Build it right !

Build it now for the future. The area is still expanding and by the time it is built will be able to accommodate the expandit areas.

The pool is an integral part of my life. I swim 5-6 times/week for recreation but, more importantly, for medical/health reasons. Therefore, I am most interested in a new pool of regulation depth which can comfortably accommodate lane swimmers.

"If you build it, he will come". This quote is from the 1989 movie Field of Dreams. It is very appropriate, with only one slight modification. Change he to they.
IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.
but Build it Right.

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