Major Recreation Facilities Study

The Major Recreation Facilities Study (MRFS) was commissioned in 1998 to determine the need for a major recreation complex to serve various districts. The study also included a needs assessment for areas not considered to be the optimum site for a major recreation complex. Research tools included background research, review of previous studies and surveys, analysis of demographcs and growth, focus groups, questinnaires, interviews, existing facility assessments and a public survey.

Findings

The study concluded the following:

It would not be advisable to attempt to serve a broad geographic area with a single multipurpose facility but instead:

1. the St. Margaret's Arena and Community Centre should be strengthened,
2. a new arena should be built in Bedford,
3. a Regional Aquatic/Fitness Centre and Library be constructed on the Mainland Common off Lacewood Drive, and
4. walking opportunities would be provided by implementing the Regional Trails Project and through the creation of an exercise trail on the Mainland Common.

The study also advised that if the Regional Aquatic/Fitness Centre were to go forward, the Northcliffe Centre should be retired and the operating subsidy for Northcliffe should be applied to the operating costs of the new building. The operating subsidy transfer would be sufficient to support the requirements of the new aquatic/fitness centre.

Implementation

To date, much of the 1998 study has been implemented. St. Margaret's Arena has been expanded to include a community centre and second ice surface, the Keshen Goodman Library opened in 2003, a smaller library opened to serve the Tantallon area, and construction of a 3-rink complex in Bedford is underway.

The major piece of the plan that is yet to be put in place is the regional aquatic/fitness centre.