(Y95 News Photo)
More details about the reopening of 275 Main Street, now known as Mariners On Main.
The Mariners Centre Management Authority approved the budget and business plan for the facility at last night’s meeting. Now it will be up to the three councils involved to give their consent to the plan.
The Mariners Centre plans to open the building by September 13th to allow for a fall term of swimming lessons and for what they say is a critical window for Membership sales. They hope to build up to 886 active members and 467 memberships.
“Success for us is the community embracing the space.” says Mariner’s Centre CEO Dorgam Hideib.
Before they can open, a number of updates and repairs are needed and they have estimated the total reopening cost at $451,264. The Mariners Centre identified delays in repair work and training a sufficient number of staff as the greatest risks to a successful reopening.
Hideib shared a message for potential job applicants.
“If you’re a lifeguard or a fitness instructor or you’ve got customer service chops and you’re looking to serve your community in a meaningful way, brush off that resume,” Hideib says. “We hope to have the approvals we need to start recruiting soon.”
In addition to a fitness center and aquatic programs, they will also look at adding passive and active recreation programming for all ages, unstructured play, a ‘Teen Takeover’ night and support for those with barriers to participate.
There will also be a Camp Day program for kids that will take place on March Break, School Days Off and during the Summer.
Hideib says that they would also love to welcome the Yarmouth Whitecaps swim team back to their home pool.
Mariners Centre is also looking at other revenue options in the future such as offering training courses, renting multi-purpose rooms and hosting bingo.
Hideib outlined how Mariners On Main will benefit the future expansion of the Mariners Centre.
“If we can do the job well on Main Street, it sets us up with the skillset, staff, programming, platforms and also the culture so that when we cut the ribbon at an expanded facility here in five years, we hit the ground running.”
