from today's T&T
Proposed north end recreation centre estimated at $15M
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Times and transcript
By: Brent Maxerolle
http://22864.vws.magma.ca/index.php?&article_id=13792 (full article)
A new recreation centre for Moncton’s largest residential area could be built for a little less than $15 million, says a team of consultants with expertise in recreation venues across Canada.
At that price, the north end community could have essentially the sort of facility it has been seeking for years, and one similar to earlier concepts prepared by Trace Planning and Design in 2011. Typical of any such project, there would nevertheless be some deviations from the first vision, though.
The most significant change might be a rethink of the indoor skateboard/bike park as it was originally envisioned, because the consultants believe the large amount of space those two activities would occupy might not be justified.
The nearly 7,000 square feet would represent the second biggest consumer of space in the centre, but might still be judged too small by the skate and bike community, when nearby Riverview has a facility twice that size.
That said, a team from Vancouver’s CEI Architecture told Moncton city council this week the recreation centre should be built regardless of what happens to the Moncton Coliseum, offering everything from an anti-gravity and climbing wall to an elevated walking track, interior and exterior play areas, a fitness facility, community shared library services, a café and nutrition centre, exterior covered multi-use courts which could be used as an exterior ice surface, and an exterior splash park.
The consultants also warned such a facility would not generate enough revenue to attract private business partners, so the construction and operation of the facility would require significant financial commitment from the community. (There may however be interest from a private partner in running the facility on behalf of the city, similar to how the Red Ball Internet Centre and Crossman Kay Community Centre are managed).
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