Missed Opportunity?

Make no mistake. The announcement by the Provincial and Federal governments on August 6 to construct sporting facilities in the Western Mainland was very much appreciated.

Yet the members of Build it Right feel that it was bittersweet. "We are thrilled with the announcement of a state-of-the-art dry land facility, but we feel that the aquatic side of the facility has not been given the same investment, and there was no mention of ice surfaces. These are things that we have fought long and hard for as a community group, so we have mixed feelings," says Susan Kirkland, co-chair of Build it Right.

The August 6 well-orchestrated press conference at the Keshen Goodman Library spoke only to the competitive end of what could be achieved in the design of the new dry-land structure but did not address what could be achieved in the establishment of multiple ice surfaces and a competitive aquatic centre. We have the space, we have the technology and obviously we have the tax base.

Why not build what the community and the province needs? Why not Build it Right the first time? Why not talk to constituents?

Build it Right is a Citizen’s Action Group made up of more than 7,000 individuals and families with one goal in mind; to construct a recreational facility which would be the focus for recreation, competitive sports and community involvement for the next 30 years based on a population of 200,000 (and growing) residents.

"The announcement is wonderful... finally we have a commitment from the provincial and federal governments to create a much needed recreational facility on the Mainland Commons" said Francis MacDonald, Co-Chair of Build it Right. "It demonstrates that volunteer community activism does work". MacDonald continued; "Despite continued municipal objections we were are able to realize (thanks to the Canada Games Fund) a facility which has gone in only three years from $3 M to $40 M. Surely we can find the money to create a recreational sporting facility which is forward thinking in the areas which are lacking in our region."

The provincial government also announced a $1M investment in upgrades to the Centennial Pool. Build it Right applauds this move but again asks what is the long term value of this investment versus an initial investment in a state-of -the-art aquatic facility?

"The good news is that all of Halifax is about to receive a wonderful new recreational facility, one that will no doubt increase the availability of sport and recreation facilities in our growing region. But I honestly feel that we have missed an opportunity to move aquatics forward in our region" said Susan Kirkland; Co-Chair of Build it Right. "Will this new facility meet the sporting and recreational programming needs of our very wonderful diverse community? Will we provide for the children who want to become the Olympic athletes of tomorrow while balancing the personal needs of the disabled and the culturally diverse people who are citizens of our community?"

Build it Right welcomes the long awaited news of this new facility however we stand firm as Democracy 250 clearly demonstrates and as the taxpayers who will pay for this project to state ..."our system is flawed". Canadian citizens must be listened to by their electors. We still have an opportunity to change.

"Perhaps we are wrong" said MacDonald...perhaps three years, thousands of hours of volunteer service, more than 10,000 petitioners and two waves of lawn signs say nothing. But I believe so firmly in the voice of the people that I believe the people need to be heard."

Build it Right is not gone as a result of the announcement regarding the Canada Games new Mainland Commons Centre...we are stronger by it and ask all of the people of HRM to join us in asking the simple question to our elected representatives ...Will you have an open public meeting to present your views?

Perhaps that is best left to an election.