Should Sturgeon County have its own Servus Place? If so, where?
About 110 county residents gathered at Morinville’s Community Cultural Centre last Wednesday to debate these and other questions about a proposed regional recreation centre in the county. The brainstorming session was organized by the Morinville and Area Rotary Club to try and kick-start the project’s construction.
Last March, the chief administrators of Sturgeon County, Gibbons, Redwater, Legal, Bon Accord and Morinville teamed up to create a regional recreation master plan. One of its chief recommendations was the creation of a regional recreation complex.
But construction of that complex wasn’t set to start until around 2025, said Joel Chevalier, Rotary club member and the event’s host. “If we bring this from the grassroots up, maybe we can fast-track this faster.” As Rotary had connections throughout the county, it decided to host an open house to speed up development.
The open house broke the crowd into small groups and had each discuss topics related to a possible recreation centre. The Gazette sat in with one of those groups, which included parents, seniors, military representatives and electoral candidates.
Cardiff resident Christine Lefebvre, 36, said a regional recreation centre could bring everyone in the county together and provide much-needed services such as a swimming pool. Swimming’s a great activity, she said, but places like St. Albert’s Fountain Park are already crammed with kids. “I want to be able to do something with my nine-year-old,” she said, and right now there’s little available in the county.
Murray Knight of the Morinville Historic Society said this facility could build community pride and support seniors’ health.
And it could get youth more active, suggested Lucien Houle, 79. There were a lot of kids in his neighbourhood, but as soon as they get off the bus they all run home and disappear for the rest of the day. “How do we get the kids out of the house and away from the TV and computer games?”
A regional recreation centre could draw more people to the county, said Morinville council candidate Barry Turner, and would be cheaper than having every town build its own. “We’re going to spend money one way or another, so we might as well do it efficiently.”
That’s all fine and dandy, said Houle, “but how do we pay for it?” He and others at the table were concerned about the cost of a pool, which he described as a big cash sink. “If my taxes go up a couple a hundred dollars a year, I have to move out of town.”
And where do we put it? While it might not be fair to put it in Morinville, the group said, the town was the region’s geographic and population centre. Transportation would be an issue no matter where it ended up.
As for what should go in this regional centre, residents suggested pools, meeting rooms, ice rinks, field houses and more.
Build it piece-by-piece, suggested county council candidate Don McGeachy, and tap the province’s grants for regional co-operation. “Go now and go big,” he added – interest rates are very low right now, making this a great time to borrow.
Rotary would compile everyone’s suggestions and send a report to local governments in about three weeks, Chevalier said. While Rotary could help with funds or a design for a centre, it would be up to local councils to make it happen. “I think the citizens of the region are for it.”
A regional rec centre won’t happen unless local leaders ditch their old grudges and work together, Knight said. “What happened before 25, 30 years ago? Can’t change that, it’s done. So put on your big girl panties and go forward and make something that everyone can be proud of.”
Questions and suggestions should go to [email protected].
