Queens Place Pool

Queens Place is coming, but with changes.. Mayor John Leefe says Council made a decision to move forward to the design development phase of the recreation complex including all original components except for the aquatics centre. Leefe says Council had to make a decision on moving forward with Queens Place so they decided to remove the swimming pool from the construction plan. Leefe says Queens Place will be sited and designed so a pool could be constructed at a later date.

Queens Place Shortage

The Queens Place project is somewhat in limbo until Region of Queens Municipal Council makes some critical decisions. There's a considerable shortfall of funds for the estimated cost of the project now pegged at $25.2 million dollars. Remaining funds need to come from other sources. The federal government has confirmed that Queens Place will not be eligible for further federal support and the past provincial government declined the Region's request for a top up that would have brought their commitment closer to the one third precedent they have set with other similar facilities in the province. Commitments include $7 million from the federal government, $5 million from the province and a fundraising goal of $2 million. Council will have to make a decision on the direction of the project and its affordability. Possible options include scaling back or phasing the facility in components.

Playground Pitch

A Bridgewater couple is hoping the town uses the vacated Visitor Information Center lot for something other than a building. A large structure, they contend, will greatly hamper the view plane from their land on Aberdeen and Elm Street. Patricia and Fazal Rahman have written council asking them to build a playground for young kids on the lot next to North Street. They write the North side of town has been grossly underserved, especially for younger children. They point out there are three fair sized playgrounds and parkspace on the opposite side of the river. And the Rahman's say the concrete slab where the building used to sit has been covered with dirt so all they would need to do is put up a fence and equipment. Also, they say more open space and recreation facilities would be welcome. The site has been vacant since the building was removed from the lot several weeks ago.

Queens Place stall

2009-05-07 09:31:59

 

A public meeting for Queens Place scheduled for later this month is being postponed because of outstanding issues including funding.   A news release from Recreation says the purpose of the meeting was to present the Schematic Design for the recreation facility as well as provide specific information about capital and operating costs.   But they point to "information gaps" that need to be resolved before a public meeting.  Those include a need for completed site development costs and more federal and provincial money.  They say the seven million from the Federal Government was 1.8 million less than what they asked for. And the five-million from the province was less than the one-third project funding in many other communities.  The Region has asked for a top up but says that hasn't materialized yet. They also say the election campaign underway will likely impact a request for funding to help defray the costs of developing commercial land next to Queens Place.  They add the combination of these three critical areas impact on the Region's capacity to provide the best information possible to the public. Once full information is available, they say the meeting will be rescheduled.

Queens Place Cash

2009-04-17 05:42:25

The Federal Government has come through with funding for the proposed Queens Place Recreation and Community Centre.  South Shore/St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy made the announcement in Liverpool Thursday morning.        Councillor Doug Adams who chairs the Queens Place Recreation Committee says the 7 million dollars  towards the project is a great step forward. Mayor John Leefe says Council is working towards obtaining other funding as well.  The 26 million dollar project will include a fitness centre, aquatic centre, fitness studios, community rooms, a walking track and an NHL sized arena with seating for 900.

Queens Place dollars

2009-04-09 06:26:19

Another round of provincial funding for Queens Place - the proposed recreational facility in Liverpool. Carolyn Bollivar-Getson has announced almost 98-thousand dollars to go towards design and architectural work for the facility.
Queens councilor Doug Adams is the Chair of the Committee working on the project. He say that is work that needs to be done before the start actually building the facility. He says once they get the design work finished, the ground work can begin. Adams is hoping for money from Ottawa as early as next week saying M-P Gerald Keddy mentioned there would be an announcement next Thursday. Adams says they may actually have to see some additional dollars from the province adding if they end up funding the project with a third from each level of government - federal, provincial and municipal. The centre is expected to contain a 900 seat NHL size arena with walking track, 25 metre - four lane pool, fitness centre, community room and Youth Health Center.