The Same Facility

By JENNIFER PRESTI
Recently there has been much publicity about the issue of a new Rec Centre for the Western Region of HRM.

My question is, “How do you expect the community to raise money for this facility when HRM plans to build a replica of what we already have (Northcliffe 25m Pool)?”

Coming from a fundraising background it would make more sense to me if HRM was offering the community something that we could get excited about. Something that would motivate all of us to get behind and raise money for: a facility that is large enough and inclusive enough to handle our population. A facility that many people will be inspired to use.

Right now HRM has a very unique opportunity to bring this community together by building a facility that the people of HRM deserve, however HRM doesn’t see it that way.

Northcliffe Pool was built 30 years ago for a population of under
10, 000 people, right now the same area has grown to nearly
200, 000 people. It makes absolutely no sense to ask the community to fundraise for the exact same facility.