Build It Right won’t go away

7,000-member citizens group promises to continue lobbying local politicians

By AMY PUGSLEY FRASER City Hall Reporter

A citizens group that grew to 7,000 members in its drive to get a recreation centre for the Mainland Common in Halifax will not fade away now that the project funding is in place, say its organizers.

The day after an announcement heralding a $40.5-million government-funded recreation centre on Lacewood Drive, the group called Build It Right announced its members plan to stay in the picture.

The group plans to lobby to ensure its members get an effective voice with local government representatives.

"Build it Right is not gone as a result of yesterday’s announcement regarding the Canada Games’ new Mainland Common centre," the group’s co-chairman, Francis MacDonald, said Thursday.

"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."

The next municipal election is Oct. 18. "We still have an opportunity to change," he said.

The group has been pushing for a public meeting for months and will continue with that objective.

As well, they voiced their disappointment Thursday with elements of the project that leave the group feeling "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," co-chairwoman Susan Kirkland said.

"These are things that we have fought long and hard for as a community group, so we have mixed feelings. 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?"

The municipal councillors whose areas benefit the most from the project said they are delighted with the facility.

"After years of planning, it is now time to start the construction of the long awaited state-of-the-art centre, which will be a wonderful addition to the community and one of the finest of its kind in the country," said Coun. Mary Wile (Clayton Park West).

"We have waited for this day for a very long time."

Almost two decades ago, the land for the Mainland Common centre was acquired by the former City of Halifax to provide for the recreation needs of the Clayton Park community and surrounding areas.

Since then, a number of public facilities have been put on the land, including Halifax West High School, a double all-weather field, new library, an indoor soccer facility, fields for softball, baseball and volleyball, and trails.

The new complex will include a field house with four full-sized gymnasiums, an indoor, six-lane 200-metre track, an aquatic centre with a 25-metre competition pool, a leisure pool, fitness centre, community centre with meetings rooms, youth centre, cafe, arts room and space for support services space.

Set to open in advance of the 2011 Canada Winter Games, the facility will be the showcase Games venue for synchronized swimming, artistic gymnastics and badminton.

"The facility will open up a whole new world of opportunity for all those who use it," said Coun. Debbie Hum (Rockingham-Wentworth).

"It will provide a place for the development of local athletes and a centre for high performance sport, community wellness and active living programs."

The councillors said they are thankful to many people who have worked to develop a plan for a new community centre.

"We also want to thank the provincial government and the government of Canada for recognizing the importance of this project through their funding contributions," said Coun. Russell Walker (Fairview-Clayton Park).

Funding announcements Wednesday outlined contributions of $12 million each from the province and Ottawa. The other $16.5 million will come from the city and community fundraising.