Support for indoor pool complex crawling along

Jennifer Spencer presented a power point show to the Municipality of Barrington committee of the whole on May 4 detailing the stages of the project and the importance of “being at the table” to refine the needs and site of the proposed facility. “The timing is right because the 2009 budget provides $500 million over two years to support construction of new community recreational facilities and upgrades to existing facilities across Canada,” said Spencer.

The initiative supports up to 50 per cent of the total cost of eligible projects with the balance provided by provincial and municipal governments, community organizations and the private sector.

Councillor Sean Strag pointed out that there already was a fitness centre in the Barrington area and that that component might prove competitive. “That’s why it’s important to be at the table,” said Spencer. “Once you sign in to the needs assessment you sort of don’t have to leave the table,” she said,

Councillor Cecil O’Donnell says he had concerns on operating costs. “Is the municipality going to have to pick up that cost? We have the arena, the (outdoor) swimming pool…they are costing us money now. If this goes through I would suspect it would be closer to Shelburne than Barrington, so what is the advantage for my district 4, for supporting something like that?” he asked.

Councillor Shaun Hatfield agreed. “The biggest hurdle here is where is this going to go?” he asked.

Spencer explained the costs of the needs assessment as follows: five per cent ($1,000) from Town of Clark’s Harbour, 10 per cent ($2,000) from Town of Shelburne, five per cent ($1,000) from Town of Lockeport, 15 per cent ($3,000) from Municipality of Barrington and 15 per cent ($3,000) from Municipality of Shelburne. Fifty per cent ($10,000) would be supplied through Health Promotion & Protection.

To date, the society has received $500 “seed money” from Health Promotion and Protection, and $1200 from the Municipality of Shelburne (designated to cover insurance costs).

Spencer says the proposal has received

support in principle from municipal governments and community organizations, conducted surveys, met with politicians, managers of other recreation complexes and developed relationships with potential funders.

Although she did not receive a promise of money from MoB that evening (the matter was deferred to the next committee of the whole meeting for further consideration)

the next night her proposal to the Town of Clark’s Harbour met with more lucrative results.

Councilors there were unanimous in their support of the indoor pool/recreation complex for the county and agreed to chip in their $1,000 towards the needs assessment survey. “I think it’s very essential and I’m all for it,” said councilor Sherry Atkinson after Spencer’s presentation. “I think it’s one thing we need in the county,” echoed councilor David Beaulieu. “It would be good for everybody.