Build It Right group calls for change in Clayton Park

To the Editor:

The issue of the Mainland Common Recreation Centre will likely celebrate its 10th anniversary before the facility is opened in 2011. As has been stated previously in this paper, the size and cost of the facility has grown over the years, starting at $8 million and ending up at $40 million. This recreation centre will be a great addition to the Mainland Common, but the long journey has illustrated some critical problems with our municipal government.

The three local councillors, Debbie Hum, Mary Wile and Russell Walker, have time and time again displayed contempt for their constituents - constituents who wanted nothing more than the best possible facility for their community. While most politicians would have welcomed their community's help in lobbying for provincial and federal money, our councillors took offense to a petition signed by over 7,000 people asking them to "Build It Right." Despite the attitude of our councillors, the community should never feel the need to apologize for pushing for what they think is right.

For those in the community who have not been following the saga of the Mainland Common Recreation Centre closely over the last few years, here is a brief summary:

• June 2005 - presentation by HRM committee and councillors of a 4 ft deep, 3 lane, 20 metre "resort hotel" pool, "take it or leave it" (strongly rejected by community)
• October 2005 - HRM public meeting that didn't allow for the public to ask questions
• November 2005 - HRM mails out surveys to justify their narrow vision for a recreation centre (maximum choice offered was $14.5 million)
• November 2005 - formation of Build It Right Citizens Action Group to lobby for a broader vision that meets the community needs
• November 2005 - removal of Build It Right signs from private properties by city workers
• December 2005 - HRM public meeting that required speakers to sign-up in advance
• February 2006 - HRM upgrades plans for pool to a six-lane, 25 metre pool (same size as Northcliffe) in response to public pressure from survey and Build It Right petition
• September 2006 - HRM announces plan to partner with YMCA to build and run facility l February 2007 - HRM wins bid for 2011 Canada Winter Games
• March 2007 - HRM announces that field house for Canada Games will be built on Mainland Common
• May 2007 - HRM decides against partnership with YMCA
• January 2008 - error-filled consultant report disagrees with previous HRM reports and claims that HRM will not need to build another 50 metre pool until 2028
• August 2008 - HRM announces plans to build $40.5 million facility on Mainland Common, thanks to funding for the Canada Games

Beginning in December 2007, Build It Right asked repeatedly to present our information in public to HRM council and we were repeatedly denied that right. We wanted to present information well in advance of the plans being finalized and the submission of requests for money to the provincial and federal governments. After eight months of stonewalling, Build It Right was only allowed to present on the same afternoon as the councillors were asked to approve the $40.5 project. By that point councillors were told that no changes to the project were possible. Our own councillors fought to silence any debate or discussion on the plans for our area. As a final insult to the community, our councillors refused to hold an open, town-hall style meeting to gather feedback from their constituents.

Without the actions of the community since June 2005 we would have a three-lane, four-foot deep splash pool today. The issue of recreation in our community should never have become a battle between our councillors and the community. Our councillors have it backwards; the job of a councillor should be to fight for, not against, the vision of the community. Because the original idea was to build a replacement for Northcliffe Pool, the councillors have refused to even discuss the possibility of putting rinks on the Mainland Common. It shouldn't take a lot of foresight to see that our 41-year-old Centennial Rink may need to be replaced in the not too distant future.

The Mainland Common Recreation Centre will be a beautiful facility, thanks to the lobbying efforts of Build It Right and the support of the community; however, the Keshen Goodman Library, Halifax West High School and Park West School are beautiful facilities too. All these buildings have one thing in common - because of a lack of vision they were all built too small to accommodate our growing community.

Even though our councillors have ignored the wishes of the community, the municipal election on Oct. 18 will give us a chance to have our voices heard loud and clear. Before you mark your ballot, ask yourself these questions. Which candidate will:

• Work respectfully with the community to accomplish its goals?
• Demonstrate an ability to see the big picture and to dream big?
• Be our community's voice at city hall ...not city hall's voice in our community?

Susan Kirkland & Francis MacDonald

Co-Chairs, Build It Right Citizens Action Group