September, 2012 Quickly Approaching

It is hard to believe that construction of the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre is moving into its fifteenth month and that in another ten months the doors will be opening providing the people of Central Nova Scotia with a new health and recreation centre to call their own.  Throughout the planning process, project staff and volunteers have taken the time to visit comparable facilities around Atlantic Canada and into Ontario. Throughout these visits we were always inspired by the “community feel” within the facilities and the comments by staff and members about how their new Centre has become a community focal point. The hustle and bustle of activity in these centres really puts into perspective what we have to look forward to in September 2012 when the ribbon is cut and the doors are opened to the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre.

The Ignite the Spirit Campaign team has been busy in the community meeting and chatting with individuals and groups in their efforts to raise funds towards its $5 million goal. The common theme of questions asked of our volunteers is in regards to the operations of the new Civic Centre and how things such as memberships will work.  The new Centre will be owned by the Town of Truro and County of Colchester and operated by a not-for-profit operations board of directors comprised of community volunteers and council representatives from both the Town and County.  The General Manager and facility staff when hired, together with the Operating Board will determine a suitable fee structure including pricing for memberships.  A goal of both councils since the outset of the project is to make the facility affordable and accessible to all.  Additionally, it is anticipated that membership structure will be set up in such a way that users will have the option to tailor their membership to include the activities they enjoy i.e. if you choose to swim, then purchase an aquatic membership only. As well, if there are multiple activities i.e. rock climbing, fitness centre and pool combined then members will have the option to purchase a combined membership.  It is anticipated that memberships will be set up in a tiered structure, offering variety and choices to those who plan to join. 

The recruitment process for the Civic Centre has begun for a General Manager which is expected to be filled by January.  Although operations staff has not yet been hired, work towards booking events and promoting the centre has progressed and moved forward.  Project staff has been working with several community groups on bids to secure events such as the 55+ Seniors Games, Nova Scotia Music Week and more recently bidding on the 2013 Fred Page Cup just to name a few.  Beyond these events, requests for future bookings are being accepted by project staff on a tentative basis, to inquire please phone 893.9706 or email ignitethespirit@colchester.ca.  Interest in the new centre has been promising and the opportunities that lay ahead are very exciting.

On the construction side of things, work continues to move along on schedule with exceptional progress made daily. On the exterior, curtain wall on the McClure’s Mills Rd. side of the centre is taking shape and soon steel erection will begin over the aquatic centre side of the building closest to the 102 Highway.  This keeps things on track for much of the building to be enclosed by January, just in time for the winter months.  The parking lot(s), located on both side of the building are currently being prepped for the first round of asphalt with curb work just completed. 

If you have any questions, or comments that you would like to share, we can be reached through our website www.ignitethespirit.ca by email at ignitethespirit@colchester.ca or phone at 902.893.9706.