Morinville residents are all for having an arena and field house in their new rec-centre, but seem worried about the prospect of a pool, suggests a recent survey.
David Ramsey of St. Albert's Ramseyhouse Consulting presented an overview to the town's arena/multi-use recreation facility steering committee (which consists of all council members) last Thursday of the recent rec-centre focus group sessions.
Town council set aside about $13.75 million this year to build the first phase of the centre on a 77-acre site just east of town. In late January and early February, it had Ramsey hold six focus groups with area residents to determine what they wanted to build in the centre.
Ramsey asked each group about the opportunities and challenges presented by a new rec-centre, his report to the committee shows. He also asked what people did and did not want to see in it, and what their top five priorities were for it.
Mayor Lisa Holmes said council hoped more people would have attended the focus groups – there were maybe 100 total – but found that the views coming out of the groups were pretty consistent with those of council.
Survey says
One of the most common messages was how the new rec-centre could enhance the culture and community of Morinville, Holmes said.
"I think that's something everyone in town wants, is to raise our profile and increase the pride people in the community have."
Ramsey said the groups believe the centre is a way to unify the community, boost local pride and put the town on the map. Group members saw the centre as a potential magnet for growth and local jobs and as a way to promote physical fitness.
Many residents were concerned about how the town would transition from the current Ray McDonald Sports Centre to this new place, Ramsey found. He also found concerns about costs, phasing and impact on local businesses.
All six groups agreed on 10 items they'd want to see in a new rec-centre, Ramsey found: a fitness centre, a pool, a gym, walking trails, a field house, a curling rink, a hockey rink, a day-care, meeting rooms, and concessions.
Groups did not want to see any wasted space in the centre, nor did they want it to be over- or under-built. They wanted local businesses to have first crack at any commercial spots in the centre, and did not want any strip clubs, bars, limited parking or unhealthy food in it.
Ramsey found that a new arena/ice rink was the top priority for the new facility amongst the focus groups, followed by a field house, walking trails, curling rink and pool. Partnerships with schools was 12th priority, while a climbing wall was ranked last.
But he also found that some groups said they did not want a pool at all in the new facility, citing cost concerns.
"People want it, but they don't know when they want it or how much it's going to cost," Holmes summarized.
Next phase
Town council will receive Ramsey's full report on the consultation at its regular meeting next Tuesday, Holmes said. That will likely lead to a second open house later this month, at which residents will see the rough price tag for each potential item in the rec-centre, and a second round of focus groups in April.
Council will also get an update next week on the cost to keep the Ray McDonald arena open while this new centre is being built. The town has already done $150,000 in repairs to it this year to keep it open for the rest of this season, and now has to determine what else needs to be fixed.
"It's kind of the make-or-break moment for this arena."
A summary of Ramsey's presentation can be found at morinville.ca.
