Recreation Facility Background

Indoor Recreation Facility Master Plan

In 2004, HRM prepared an Indoor Recreation Facility Master Plan (18.8 mb pdf) which identified facility requirements and a process for implementing priority projects.

In every case, facility development initiatives are filtered through the Facility Implementation Model, thus ensuring the principles of the Indoor Recreation Facility Master Plan are maintained.

The IRF Master Plan states that HRM indoor recreation facilities should:

• focus on participation rather than viewing
  
• spectator and event facilities should only be developed in partnership with other organizations
  
• whenever possible, new facilities should be developed in conjunction with existing facilities in order to maximize both the convenience and enjoyment of citizens and economies of scale in terms of operations.
  

HRM Recreation Blueprint

The main focus of HRM’s recreation services delivery, as expressed in the Recreation Blueprint, is on introductory-level programs:

“CRS has determined that the program emphasis will be on offering introductory level programs. The philosophy is that citizens should have access to learn a variety of skills at an introductory level. If citizens then choose to invest in or pursue a particular skill in more detail, they could then register with a more specialized agency.”

Therefore, HRM’s primary goal in the providing indoor recreation facility services is to provide an equitable supply of introductory level activities across the municipality.

“A wide range of introductory level services should be in place before higher levels of service in any one activity or in any one community are considered. If higher levels of service are desired in a particular community, alternate sources of capital and on going operating funding should be secured before a facility is developed.”

Types of Indoor Recreation Facilities

Community / Neighbourhood Facilities
These are facilities, such as the Beachville, Lakeside, Timberlea Community Centre or the Sackville Heights Community Centre where the local community can congregate and enjoy basic services and programs. The facility likely has a gymnasium, a multi-purpose room, and some meeting rooms. In some cases, such as the Needham Centre, there is also a small pool. The typical users of these facilities live within a 5-10 minute drive time in the urban and suburban areas. In rural areas, these facilities are generally associated with schools, churches, etc, and will likely require a longer drive to access.

Sport Facilities
The primary focus for these facilities is the provision of space for sport use, generally arenas. The majority of use is sport rentals, while some time is allocated to non-sport activities and programming, usually within a 20 to 30 minute drive time. In rural situations, citizens would likely drive 50-60 minutes to access this type of facility.

Multi District – Multi Use Facilities
A facility, such as Dartmouth Sportsplex, Cole Harbour Place or Sackville Sports Stadium that provides a variety of services to a large geographic area encompassing more than one district, in urban and suburban situations, usually within a 20 to 30 minute drive time. In rural situations, citizens would likely drive 50-60 minutes to access this type of facility.

LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

The LEED ™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system provides a recognized standard for the construction industry to assess the environmental sustainability of building designs.

All LEED rated buildings must meet the stringent requirements of the Natural Resources Canada's Commercial Building Incentive Program (CBIP) - reducing energy consumption by 25% relative to the Model Energy Code for Buildings.
A key benefit to this Project is reduced energy costs for the life of the building.