The Town of Yarmouth and the Municipality of Yarmouth have a big decision to make.
Whether or not to proceed with a proposed multi-million dollar expansion of the Mariners Centre, which they own.
A feasibility study was presented to the public last night.
The plan would include an aquatic and fitness centre and a multi-purpose facility that would accommodate curling,
a walking track and many other amenities.
Any expansion would replace the present YMCA and Yarmouth Curling Club.
Consultant Jim Morgenstern of dmA Planning & Management Services says their purpose was to determine the most
needed recreation facility.
“This is a big project, this is a relatively small community and that’s always a challenge in these projects. not everybody’s wish list will be accommodated in each facility. Ultimately what is important is that they (town and municipality of Yarmouth) continue to focus on the market assessment and ensure that what they are building is in line with the market demand and consequently financially viable.”
He says the Y and the curling club are no longer sustainable.
“This is an opportunity to see those partnerships, to develop a major regional complex that both retains the YMCA and the curling club in the community but particularly in the YMCA’s case, creates an entirely different kind of facility…a contemporary YMCA with a first-class aquatic
facility that can provide services and programs for the community that just cannot happen in their existing facility.”
Yarmouth Deputy Mayor Jim MacLeod says the committee which organized the feasibility study will take the next steps.
“Which is to come to the different stakeholders. the idea itself, to have a wonderful new curling rink, which I was a former curler and a YMCA ,member for a long time and a supporter. We need to grow these facilities.”
Leland Anthony, Warden of the Municipality of Yarmouth says his concerns about a lack of seating for the aquatic centre
were addressed at last night’s meeting by the consultant.
“I can accept what he saying, the costs to do that, understanding that there would only be regional competitions here as compared to the big national competitions. Now I realize we don’t need large seating. People are interested and people are concerned but I think it’s a doable project, i really do.”
Mitch Bonnar, owner of the Yarmouth Mariners says, from the team’s perspective, any expansion won’t make a lot of difference.
“The team’s still going to be here and the facility is still going to be here. The concept is great but I’m not sure if it’s totally the right concept at this point in time. It’s a lot of money. They’re proposing some 30 odd million dollars. That’s a lot of taxpayers money. It’s going to take a lot of discussion to determine if that’s going to happen or not.”
The proposed expansion would add over 76,000 square feet to the existing Mariners Centre, nearly doubling its size.
