Council for the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth during swearing-in ceremonies on November 4th, 2020.
The Municipality of the District of Yarmouth voted to release the results of a controversial survey surrounding the Mariners Centre expansion and 275 Main Street after a heated discussion at their council meeting last night.
Councillor Patti Durkee brought a motion to disregard the results of the survey because nothing involved was approved by the council and the two other municipal units involved were not consulted.
A heated discussion ensued. Councillor Nick Hilton argued that conducting the survey without consulting the other municipal partners was disrespectful.
Deputy Warden Trevor Cunningham argued against the motion, saying that the survey was revealing, conducted by a professional firm, MQO Research, and people deserved to know the results because it was publicly funded.
Warden John Cunningham pushed back against allegations that members of the Yarmouth Municipal council were not told about the survey, stating that it was brought up at the councils strategic planning session on March 26th.
The vote was split with four councillors agreeing to release the survey and three councillors in favor of disregarding it.
The survey has now been released to the public. The council will discuss the results with MQO research.
In the survey of 400 people, 92 percent support the Mariners Centre expansion.
70 percent of respondents said they also support the bridge facility, and only half of respondents supported an investment of tax dollars at 275 Main Street, with moderate support for continued investment there as long as expansion at Mariners Centre takes place.
95 percent of Argyle respondents support the Mariners Centre, 91 percent for MODY, 89 percent for Town of Yarmouth.
A pool is the top desired amenity for Mariners Centre.
The survey says more education is needed, as 45 percent of respondents said they had low familiarity with the projects.
