Plenty to Look Forward to in 2012

2011 has proved to be a year filled with many milestones and achievements for the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Project.  It is hard to believe that this time last year the first pour of concrete was arriving at the site and one year later we can look at the building and get a sense of what the finished product will look like.  Project Co-Chairs, Greg MacArthur and Bob Taylor are pleased with the progress to date and together with the rest of the project team and the community are counting down the days until September, 2012 when the facility is anticipated to open.

The County of Colchester and Town of Truro councils have long believed that the building of the new Civic Centre will provide countless economic and social opportunities for residents of this Region and beyond.  Combined, the two councils have contributed $24 million towards the construction of the facility demonstrating their commitment to providing the residents of Central Nova Scotia with a first class, accessible facility for all to enjoy.   When opened, the facility be owned by the Town of Truro and County of Colchester and operated by a “not for profit” board of directors comprised of council representatives and community volunteers.

“We are committed to the construction of a facility that is accessible and affordable for all” notes project Co-Chair and Town of Truro Councillor, Greg MacArthur.  “There will be something for everyone to enjoy, from seniors to youths, recreational to competitive athletes, it will be a facility that will be far more than a place to just swim and skate” adds MacArthur. 

Bob Taylor, Project Co-Chair and Mayor of the County of Colchester adds” already we have seen great response to the Centre and the impact it will have on all of us.  Project staff has worked closely with community organizations and groups to secure future events and we are currently in the process of hiring a facility General Manager.  All in all, a lot has been achieved over the last twelve months and we look forward to seeing it come to fruition in 2012.”

Construction continues to move along with work on the building envelope being the main focus.  The roof on the arena side and masonry block is near completion while work on installing the backpan and curtain wall continues.  It should be noted that the green backpan that you see when you drive by is not the color the Centre will be; over the coming months the crew will begin installing the metal siding that will be various shades of grey and will cover the backpan.  On the aquatics side, concrete work continues and we will soon see steel being erected and the walls beginning to be formed.  Early in the New Year, the tender process will finish up with the final tenders for the score clock, rock climbing wall, soft landscaping, water slide and signage being awarded.

There are a number of exciting initiatives ongoing including the most recent announcement that the project is seeking the talents of a professional artist or artist team for exterior artwork to be located in the concourse area of the new Centre.  Artists must be a current or former residents of Nova Scotia and the artwork they propose be a landmark that reflects the “Ignite the Spirit” theme that has been carried through the $5 million community fundraising campaign.  The inclusion of an art piece in the new Centre will provide the opportunity to showcase the talents of our local artists and enhance the interior and exterior of the Civic Centre for the enjoyment of our community and those who visit all while demonstrating this Regions rich culture and history.

The Ignite the Spirit campaign continues to go strong, with $4 million of its $5 million goal raised to date.  There are many ways to support the community campaign including the recently launched “Name that Seat” Campaign.   The “Name that Seat” Campaign gives residents of Central Nova Scotia and beyond the opportunity to name one of the 2600 arena seats in memory or in honour of a friend or relative, or in recognition of a special occasion or achievement.   Each seat costs $500, and entitles the donor to a permanent inscription on an arena seat along with an official tax receipt all while supporting a great initiative.  Don’t delay, check out our website at www.ignitethespirit.ca and play your part in supporting the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre, a place for our community to gather, play and thrive.