HRM - Mainland Common

Mainland Common Centre

FAQ's & Open House Comments

Question: What is the Mainland Common Centre?

Answer: The centre is a 176,000 sq ft state-of-the-art community recreation facility that will include:

• 8- lane, 25 metre competition pool	• 11,500 sq ft health, fitness and wellness centre
• leisure pool	• dance/arts/culture studio room
• baby/toddler pool	• youth centre
• hydrotherapy pool	• community multi-purpose room
• waterslide	• child care service
• sauna	• Canadian Sports Centre Atlantic
• 52,000 sq ft field house	• sports medicine/physiotherapy clinic
• multi-sport gymnasium courts	• café/food services
• 200-meter, 6-lane indoor track

Question: Where will the Mainland Common Centre be located?

Answer: The Centre will be located on HRM property at the Mainland Common on Thomas Raddall Drive off Lacewood Drive across from the Keshen Goodman Public Library. Conveniently located it joins other facilities on the Common including Halifax West High School, Keshen Goodman Public Library, the Bella Rose Theatre and the indoor and outdoor soccer facilities.

Question: How much will it cost to build?

Answer: The entire cost of the project is a projected $40.5 million. All three levels of Government (HRM, Provincial and Federal) have invested in the facility and there will be a community capital fundraising campaign launched in the near future.

Funding Framework:

HRM	$13,373,682	33.0%
Provincial	$12,783,500	31.5%
Federal	$12,416,500	30.6%
Community Fundraising	$2,000,000	4.9%

Question: How does the pool space of the Mainland Common facility compare to other HRM facilities?

Answer:

Northcliffe Pool 4,590 sq ft

Dartmouth Sportsplex 6,340 sq ft

Cole Harbour Place 6,200 sq ft

Sackville Sports Stadium 5,460 sq ft

Spryfield Wave Pool 5,290 sq ft

Mainland Common Pool 10,300 sq ft

Question: With a growing population and increased usage of the facility expected, will the pool be big enough?

Answer: As part of the due diligence there was a great deal of consultation with national and international aquatic experts. Based on that research we believe the pool is appropriately sized and designed to accommodate future growth.

Question: Who will operate the Centre?

Answer: HRM has been reviewing options for the best operational and management model for the facility. The recommended option is to have an operating and governance structure similar to existing major facilities (i.e. Dartmouth Sportsplex, Cole Harbour Place).

Question: What about the future of Northcliffe Centre?

Answer: As long as the facility is safe for use and can be properly maintained, it will remain open until the new complex is built.

Question: Will the Mainland Common Centre offer the programs currently offered at Northcliffe?

Answer: Community Recreation Services focus on providing high quality, diverse, inclusive programs and services. Staff will work to ensure that the programs and services with the greatest appeal to the community will be offered at the new Centre.

Question: Is there a plan for outside activities i.e. park for children?

Answer: The integration of a playground into the Mainland Common will be identified as a separate future component of the plan.

Question: What will happen to Centennial Pool?

Answer: An infrastructure assessment commissioned for Centennial Pool determined with minimal investment its life can be extended for approximately 20 years.

Presently it is operated by a dedicated group of volunteers, but the facility requires adequate Capital investment. As part of its overall contribution to the Mainland Common project, the Province of Nova Scotia, will provide $1 million to fund upgrades at Centennial Pool. HRM staff will proceed with the development of a capital project plan for Centennial Pool and will seek Council’s approval in the 2009/10 Capital budget for funding renovations for this facility. This capital investment will ensure an enhanced training facility at Centennial Pool for aquatic athletes and the community.

Question: Will the facility be accessible?

Answer: Yes, staff and the design team have worked to ensure the Centre is barrier-free throughout.

Question: When will it be open?

Answer: The completion date is Fall 2010.

Question: How can I find out information about the project as it progresses?

Answer: Regular status updates will be provided to keep everyone apprised of the progress on the project. Here are a few of the communication tools that will be used:

Newsletter: A comprehensive newsletter was mailed to all residents in the Clayton Park and surrounding area in August. Another newsletter is slated for early in the new year.

Public Open House: An open house was held in August at the Keshen Goodman Public Library. For the public’s convenience, staff are also committed to hosting additional sessions throughout the Fall if required.

Ongoing Public Displays: Facility drawings will be displayed for public viewing throughout the community at various public locations, i.e. Keshen Goodman Public Library, Northcliffe.

Website: A new Mainland Common website can be viewed at www.halifax.ca/mainlandcommon.

Thank-you to everyone who took the time to leave a comment/question at the Mainland Common Open House. Your feedback is appreciated. Here are some of the comments/questions with our responses:

Comment: “I think it is a lovely useful plan. Look forward to using it. Would like to see a plan for pool membership only, or very reasonable total membership. Start digging.”

Answer: The construction of the Mainland Common Centre will help to ensure access for all members of the community to a variety of inclusive programs as well as provide an excellent facility for the training of high performance athletes. Once a management/operations Board is in place they will investigate the best membership model. Membership fees will be in line with those charged at comparable HRM owned facilities. Construction will begin late Fall 2008 with a completion date of late Fall 2010. We will start digging soon!

Comment: “What about a 50 metre pool?”

Answer: As part of the due diligence research on the facility, best practice research was carried out. This included a 50-metre pool study, funded by the Province of Nova Scotia, conducted to present a very solid and fact based recommendation on the question of constructing and operating a 50 metre pool versus a 25 metre pool. The study recommended the construction of a 25 metre 8 lane pool at Mainland Common and the recapitalization of Centennial Pool. The study concluded that while Dalplex and Centennial are still operational, a municipality the size of HRM does not require a third 50 metre pool.

The additional capital cost of building a 50-metre pool vs a 25-metre pool is $10 million plus additional operating costs. The operating deficit for a 50-metre pool vs a 25-metre pool in the first year was estimated at about $660,000. At this point, the prudent financial decision is not to include a 50-metre pool in the Mainland Common Centre.

Comment: Would any competition hosting opportunities be available if a 50-metre pool is built instead?

Answer: To host a major National or International Championship facilities must have a 50-metre pool and a warm-up pool (an 8-lane 25-metre is the minimum requirement). Even with a 50-metre pool the Mainland Common pool would not meet the minimum requirements.

Comment: “We did not receive Mainland Common at 78 Regency Park Dr. Apartment Building.”

Answer: Sorry, you did not get a copy. We arranged with Canada Post to have them delivered to all addresses that receive the District 10, 15, and 16 councillor newsletters. Copies are available at the Keshen Goodman Public Library or online at www.halifax.ca/mainlandcommon.

Comment: Why not have a “Public Meeting” to air the views of the Community. Like why not a 50 metre pool?

Answer: An extensive public consultation process has been undertaken in the planning of this project over the last several years including:

2002 Public Survey
2003 Needs Assessment & Report (Nova Research)
2005 Public Consultation Meeting
2005 Community Survey on Facility Options
2006 Focus Group Meetings (Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities, Soccer Nova Scotia, Sport Nova Scotia, Community & Race Relations Advisory Committee, Halifax West High School Students, Parkland Estate Senior Residents, Residents/Homeowners Groups, Northcliffe Pool Staff, Swim Nova Scotia, Maskawa Aquatic Club, Build It Right)
2007 Consultation with National and International aquatic experts, toured and consulted with Canadian facility managers, consultation with managers of existing HRM district wide facilities.
2007/ongoing Sport Nova Scotia, Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic, Canada Games Host Society, Provincial and Federal Governments.
2008 Meetings with Representatives from Provincial sport user groups: Athletics, Wrestling, Judo, volleyball, Basketball, Badminton, Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, and Synchronized Swimming.

Comment: The deck space is too small to run Red Cross Classes!

Answer: We are working with HRM aquatic staff, consultants and representatives of the sports (e.g. swimming, water polo) on the orientation of the pools, clearances between the pool and the walls and what equipment should be on the pool deck. As we move forward with the detailed design we will continue to consult with the client groups on the design and use of this area.

Comment: Connections to bike trails & bike amenities. Potential partners Running Room, etc… ideas. What about a seniors’ room?

Answer: The Master Plan for the Mainland Common was developed in consultation with the local trails organization, the adjacent library and high school, to promote and encourage pedestrian and bike access to the site. Bike racks will be provided at the Mainland Common Centre. Provisions are being made for multi-purpose/meeting rooms in the new facility that would accommodate a variety of groups and interests including seniors.

Comment: “I don’t see anything in the plans for future ice surfaces for this area. Centennial Arena is 41 years old and is not adequate for the immediate need of this community. My grandchildren travel to St. Margaret’s arena for hockey practice regularly.”

Answer: In early August 2008, the Halifax Regional Municipality issued a Request for Proposals from four short listed pre-qualified Proponents to develop new ice surfaces. The objective of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to select a single Proponent based on the submission of detailed technical and financial Proposals for the development of the Project. The site location will be determined as part of the outcome results of the RFP process. The target time line is for construction to begin by Spring 2009 for an opening date of September 1, 2010.

Comment: “Solar Collectors – You have a huge roof.” And “It is great that the building will be LEED certified that should have been highlighted in the presentation. There should have been a green roof.”

Answer: All HRM Building Capital Construction projects are required, at a minimum, to meet a LEED Silver standard. It is the intent that the Mainland Common project, at a minimum, meet or exceed LEED Silver rating. A number of innovative technologies are being incorporated in the project to help reduce the facility’s carbon and potable water foot prints. For example, geothermal/heat pump systems for heating and cooling of the building will be used to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. Alternatives to using chlorine in the pool are also being considered. These technologies are a critical factor in attaining LEED Silver designation

Comments: This looks great. Please make is happen; Very interesting array of pools, offset at a pleasing angle. Bravo! Superb architecture! Congratulations and thanks.

Comment: This pool answers all the hopes of an under serviced community, and provides (with the recreation pool & wellness facility) servicing for a segment of the population that has no facility where they can get well! You have met all the challenges & proposals that the mainland common Recreation Centre Board put before you! Well done

Answer: Thank-you for all your input and taking the time to attend the Open House