There was lots of buzz at the Facilities and Amenities Strategic Planning Open House held at the Rec Center on Monday April 22. The team of the FAP was very pleased with the response from over 30% of the town’s population and what is clear is that our town is in need and want of new recreation facilities as well as improvement to the existing Rec Center Complex. At the top of the wish list was an aquatic center that would incorporate a leisure pool, hot tub, lane swimming, shallow children’s area as well as a spray park. Up next was more ice for an arena, field house, fitness center, indoor and outdoor walking track, a gymnastics facility, curling rink and gymnasium. Possible new facilities also included a performing arts center, arts center and meeting rooms available for public use.
After more restaurants and stores, rec facilities rank high on our town’s desires. The projected capital costs of such a facility would require a budget of 70-80 million dollars. It is the FAP’s belief that multi-purpose rec facilities can be economically self-sustainable. Funding would come from several sources such as Federal and Provincial Grants, Town of Chestermere tax dollars, Corporate and Developer donations, Sale of naming right, community fund raising, individual donations and Town of Chestermere borrowing dollars.
The proposed time line for this project getting to developer commitment stage is December of 2014. The results of the open house will be reviewed and submitted to council roughly by August. There will be an opportunity for interested town and area residents to be part of a committee to further develop the rec facility needs. By the end of June 2014 the town is looking to have a realistic action plan. Bill Fraser, Rec Consultant for the project believes time is of the essence is nailing down the location while land is still undeveloped and available. The project would require 40 to 60 acres of suitable land.
Also available for view at the open house were the proposed upgrades to the existing arena and community center. At the end of June work will begin in a joint venture between the town and the County of Rockyview to repair and update the existing mechanical facilities of the complex. As monies become available we will see arena expansion, a new gym and development of the upper floor into possible fitness areas, hopefully by March of 2015. We are quickly outgrowing what is available, from such things as ice time to venues for soccer practice. FAP volunteer Ron Jossul who is also a volunteer for Chestermere United Soccer said local team membership is exploding and finding suitable practice times and places are becoming increasingly challenging.
Between our present community center and the new one proposed, we can hope to enjoy more leisure and rec facilities in our town, alleviating the pressure to drive outside of the community to find such amenities and improve the quality of resources offered to area residents.
