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$40.5-Million for Mainland Common
August 6th, 2008
A new recreation facility has been a long time coming for residents of Halifax West. First conceptualized in 1992, the Mainland Common Recreation Centre will finally open to the public nearly 20 years later in 2011 thanks to a new $40.5-million funding arrangement announced today by MP Peter MacKay, Premier Rodney MacDonald, and Mayor Peter Kelly.
The Build it Right citizen action group asserts this funding arrangement is a marked improvement from previous plans presented by HRM.
Prior to this announcement, HRM had most recently presented three lesser options to citizens of Halifax West in October 2005: (1) renovate Northcliffe pool, (2) build an $8-million replacement facility, or (3) raise $8.1-million within the community to build a $16-million facility.
Dissatisfied with the options, residents came together to form the Build it Right group in November 2005.
Through persistence and determination of the community, which included awareness campaigns, a petition, meetings with politicians and stakeholders, and numerous public meetings, it appears the message may have gotten through.
The Build it Right group is now eagerly awaiting a public meeting for HRM to share facility plans with the community. In a recent poll posted on the Build it Right website (www.build-it-right.ca) 97% of respondents agreed HRM should hold a public meeting.
To date, a public meeting has not been scheduled.
Process, Process, Process
Two 25m pools don't equal a 50m pool! As Peter MacKay said "This center will attract international competitors..." not swimmers though. Build It Right has been a key group in HRM, that has clearly demonstrated that, the current HRM Council and Senior Management Team have systematically dismantled the Public Consultation Process, that we the public, previous councils of the City of Halifax (Dartmouth, Bedford & County), and staff had developed and nurtured over several decades.
Now HRM, appears to do what they want, when they want , however they want. Oh, then we have a Provincial Administration, that fails to uphold the requirements of Provincial Statues and Acts, specifically the Municipal Government Act.
Is Build It Right, finished, I hope not, we have a lot of things to re-build.
Ernie B Brennan
Ketch Harbour, NS