[Halifax] Canada Games Centre | Completed

[Dmajackson]

a $40.5 million dollar recreation centre was approved last night for Halifax:

Mainland rec centre gets the OK
Many disappointed that facility won’t have a 50-metre pool
By MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE Staff Reporter
Wed. Aug 13 - 5:14 AM

Halifax regional council Tuesday unanimously approved development of the city’s planned recreation and sports complex known as Mainland Common Centre.

The approval means construction on the $40.5-million project can begin this fall. Cost of the site is to be covered by the three levels of government and community fundraising.

Councillors heard the new community centre will offer high-performance athletes a place to train and be an integral part of the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax Regional Municipality.

Councillors were also told that it will go a long way to addressing the need for much-improved sports infrastructure in this region.

Tuesday’s endorsement, made at council’s session of committee of the whole, included $1 million for upgrades at Centennial Pool in downtown Halifax. It also bumped up the budget for consulting fees for the project to just under $2 million.

Building Mainland Common Centre means aging Northcliffe Centre in Halifax will eventually be shut down, a municipal staff report says, and its closure will be "concurrent with the opening of the new facility."

Staff said the city had to act quickly to get the new site ready for the Canada Winter Games. Any delay at this point, councillors were told, would jeopardize the municipality’s position with respect to the national event.

The recreation and sports centre is to include such amenities as swimming pools, an indoor running track, a fitness centre, meeting rooms and gym space for sports like basketball, volleyball and badminton.

Although the politicians trumpeted all components of the project, most of the debate at city hall focused on a planned aquatics centre.

Council was presented with a 7,000-name petition from a citizens group that’s been pushing hard for a 50-metre swimming pool; the new sports palace includes two 25-metre pools.

The Build It Right committee feels the proposed aquatic centre is undersized, spokeswoman Kelly Atkins told the committee of the whole. She said as it stands, the centre won’t be able to host any world-class swimming competitions.

David Rickard, an architect associated with the Mainland Common Centre proposal, said changing blueprints to accommodate a 50-metre pool would add more than $5 million to the project.

At one point during the debate, Coun. Debbie Hum (Rockingham-Wentworth), a vocal champion of the centre, took Ms. Atkins to task and fired a series of questions at her after the woman made a presentation to regional council.

But Mayor Peter Kelly steered the talk back to the future, with instructions for the councillor — and others — to stick to the proposal on the floor and not rehash past arguments.

Councillors were told a 50-metre swimming pool could be built years down the road, as part of the city’s recreation facility master plan. There are two such pools already in the municipality.

"If somebody wants to build a 50-metre pool off to the side of this in the future, then that’s clearly an option and can be done," said Coun. Andrew Younger (East Dartmouth-The Lakes).

Municipal staff said membership dues and other fees charged at the new centre will be on par with other city-owned sites, such as Cole Harbour Place and the Dartmouth Sportsplex.

This worried Coun. Gloria McCluskey (Dartmouth Centre), who said such user fees would essentially shut out metro’s underprivileged families.

[terrynorthend]

Does anyone know what that yellow tube on the corner of the building is? I'm betting it is a water side for the pool. Seems like a neat idea at first, BUT... it'd be damn cold in the winter

[hfx_chris]

Looks like a slide to me. I hope it's insulated!

[Jonovision]

Looks like a pretty nice buildings. I would say that's a slide. I'm still a little unfamiliar with the location of this however. Anyone have a map?

[Spitfire75]

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=...15299&t=h&z=16

I'm not sure of the exact spot, but this the area it's going to be in. I know they have it all dug up around the baseball field there.

[Dmajackson]

Since it is being held here:

Wary council commits to $31m Canada Games

By JEFFREY SIMPSON Staff Reporter
Wed. Nov 19 - 11:50 AM
Halifax regional councillors expressed some anxiety about repeating their disastrous Commonwealth Games experience Tuesday as they committed to hosting the $31-million 2011 Canada Winter Games.

Council agreed to sign off on a new funding agreement with other levels of government and the Canada Games Council to hold the sporting event in Halifax Regional Municipality in February 2011, accepting $16.24 million in operating costs and $6 million in capital costs that the province and Ottawa will share equally.

The municipality will commit $8.85 million in cash and upgrades to existing sports facilities as its share of funding for the Games.

Councillors were supportive of the event but wary of repeating mistakes made in the municipality’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which was aborted as its estimated costs mounted.

Coun. Gloria McCluskey (Dartmouth Centre) was first to voice a concern shared by several of her colleagues about the potential for costs to spiral upward, saddling municipal taxpayers with extra costs.

"Should there be a deficit, it will be the responsibility of the HRM and that kind of troubles me," Ms. McCluskey said.

Coun. Sue Uteck (Northwest Arm-South End) said she was uneasy about agreeing to a set level of funding so far in advance of the Games.

"If there are unforeseen contingencies, we don’t know what the financials are at this point," Ms. Uteck said. "This is a mistake we made with the Commonwealth Games. We went right out and accepted a figure from both the federal and provincial government which put us behind the 8-ball."

Coun. David Hendsbee (Preston-Lawrencetown-Chezzetcook) said he wanted to ensure any debate about the Games would be held in public, unlike the situation with the Commonwealth Games bid, which was criticized for being mired in secrecy.

"I’m worried about the transparency issues," he said. "I was hoping we would not go through any clandestine discussions that we had with the experience of the Commonwealth (Games)."

Mr. Hendsbee said he was happy to note there had never been a deficit in the 41-year history of the Canada Games, but wondered if the municipality would get to keep any surplus it racked up.

"Or will it be clawed back by the federal and provincial governments?" he asked.

Paul Dunphy, the municipality’s director of community development, told council there would be quarterly financial updates to ensure costs are kept in check.

"The Commonwealth Games was difficult to get a handle on what it was going to cost because we were building all new facilities and they were all mega facilities," he said.

Most of the events for the Canada Games will be held in existing facilities that will be renovated and any leftover funds would go to legacy facilities.

"It’s much more manageable in terms of risk," he said.

Halifax’s bid committee for the Commonwealth Games also needed to submit a competitive proposal to win the right to be host, while with the Canada Games the funding formula was agreed upon in advance, he said.

"It wasn’t like we were trying to outspend somebody else," Mr. Dunphy said. "So that’s a very big difference."

The federal and provincial governments have also provided another $23 million for the Mainland Common facility, which will be the Canada Games venue.

The municipality is expecting the Games to generate $60 million in economic activity locally and another $21 million for the rest of the province.

Organizers plan to raise $8 million from sponsors, $1 million from ticket sales, $350,000 from selling merchandise, $1.65 million from an HST rebate and $300,000 in interest from its profits.

The Games will attract 3,600 athletes, coaches and managers, competing in 20 sports. There will be 550 sporting officials, 400 media and 6,000 guests

[Dmajackson]

Mainland Common Centre Construction Commences

(Friday, November 21, 2008) - The Mainland Common Centre reaches another significant milestone today with the commencement of construction. Excavation for the swimming pools is now underway.

Blasting may occur on-site over the next few weeks.

An official Ground Breaking ceremony, involving all three levels of Government, will be held on-site December 17, 2008 from 11:00 am - 12:00 noon. Everyone is invited to participate in the celebration.

Please visit www.halifax.ca/mainlandcommon for additional information on the Mainland Common Centre project.

[Dmajackson]

Mainland Common Centre - Ground Breaking

(Wednesday, December 17, 2008) - The three levels of Government and community came together today to celebrate the official ground breaking for the Mainland Common Centre. "We are pleased to finally break ground and begin construction on the $40.5 million Mainland Common Centre", said Mayor Peter Kelly. "This centre will be a focal point for both elite sport and recreation for all residents of our Region. Infrastructure development is a priority for the Municipality as it has far reaching benefits for residents in our community."

Representatives from both the Provincial and Federal Governments were on hand to participate in the ground breaking and to show their support for this initiative. "This is a great day for Nova Scotians, a facility of this calibre will encourage more citizens to live healthy and active lives contributing to the overall health and wellness of the region" stated Minister Barry Barnet.

"Investing in infrastructure provides communities with long-term, stable and predictable infrastructure funding, new jobs and a strong local economic boost," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, on behalf of John Baird, Canada's Transport and Infrastructure Minister. "Our Government is committed to working with our provincial partners to find ways to approve projects faster so construction managers can get their shovels in the ground, just like we are doing today at the Mainland Common."

As per the funding announcement made in August 2008, the federal government will provide up to $12 million through its Building Canada agreement with Nova Scotia. The province will invest $12 million towards the centre.

The Mainland Common Centre will be a key venue for the 2011 Canada Winter Games. The Centre is slated to host three sports - synchronized swimming, badminton, and artistic gymnastics. Jean-Paul Deveau, Chair, Halifax 2011 Canada Games Board of Directors said, "Today's ground breaking is an important milestone for the Games, the Mainland Common Centre will be a great showpiece for the 2011 Games. We'll be able to welcome athletes, fans, and officials into a brand new, state-of-the-art facility that will have a great legacy long after the Games."

When completed, this 176,000 square-foot complex will include: a field house with 3 full sized gymnasiums; an indoor 200 metre track; an aquatic centre with a 25 metre - 8 lane competition pool, leisure pool, toddler pool, 2 slides and a hydrotherapy pool; a fitness centre; community centre with meeting rooms; youth centre; café; arts room; and other support services space.

With its innovative, environmentally friendly technologies and practices, facility managers will apply for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver designation. Innovations will include a geothermal well system for earth source heat/cooling, energy saving lighting technologies, and the use of recycled and local materials.

For more background information on the project visit www.halifax.ca/mainlandcommon

[Dmajackson]

I was listening to Council tonight and apparently this has officially been renamed to Canada Games Centre.

[DigitalNinja]

Anyone have any pics of progress on this?

[Spitfire75]

I don't have pics, but I drive by it pretty often. They have some steel framing up.

[Spitfire75]

Some pics here: http://www.halifax.ca/CanadaGamesCentre/

[Dmajackson]

They have a daily updated webcam HERE;

What's Included

176,000-square-foot facility
Eight-lane, 25-metre indoor competition pool
Leisure pool
Baby/Toddler pool
Hydrotherapy pool
Waterslide
Sauna
52,000-square-foot field house
Indoor 200-metre, six lane track
Multi-sport gymnasium courts
11,500-square-foot health, fitness and wellness centre
Dance/arts/culture studio room
Youth centre
Community multi-purpose rooms
Child care service
Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic
Sports medicine/physiotherapy clinic
Café
Community meeting spaces

The official website is lniked to in the last post

[Dmajackson]

'A beehive of activity’
$40.5 million Canada Games Centre expected to be weather-tight by December
Halifax News Net
By Lindsay Jones – The Weekly News


The 176,000 square foot centre, which is currently under construction on the Halifax Mainland Common, is on schedule for November 2010 completion. The facility will be a primary sport venue for the February 2011 Games.

The field house is now up and the concrete was just poured into the pool of the $40.5 million Canada Games Centre being built on the Halifax Mainland Common.
The facility will be a primary sports venue for the February 2011 Games, hosting badminton, artistic gymnastics and synchronized swimming.
The 176,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art community recreation facility is expected to be weather-tight by December, said Margaret Soley, co-
ordinator of infrastructure partnerships for the Canada Games Centre.
“That’s quite a milestone for us, and then construction will move indoors,” Soley said.
“We admit, this is a very aggressive timeline, but so far, we’ve had success in meeting key dates.
“It’s a beehive of activity up there right now. We’re very lucky the weather has been as good as it has. We’re not delayed.”
She said the centre is on target to be complete by November 2010, but the 160 workers who are on site every day still have a lot of work to do.
Last week, the elevator tracts were installed. Now, the aquatic centre is in the works. The structural steel went up last week. And the concrete was poured into the 25-metre, eight-lane competitive pool, the leisure pool, toddler pool, and hydrotherapy pool, which is being built to soothe athletes’ sore muscles.

MATERIALS IN THE CANADA GAMES CENTRE

* 140,000 concrete blocks
* Over 175 kilometres of wiring and cable – that’s equal to the distance between Halifax and New Glasgow
* 1.3 million kilograms of structural steel
* Over 4,000 cubic metres of concrete
* 16,000 square metres of roofing

“It looks like a hot tub, but this would be twice as large,” Soley said.
The next step is putting the blocks and glass up around the pool.
Then there’s 16,000 square metres of roofing to be done.
Soley said she’s been hearing from many people and getting lots of phone calls about the progress at the site, which is visible off Lacewood Drive.
“I think people are getting quite excited now that they’re seeing it going up, and the building continues to get bigger,” she said.
Landscaping around the building will take place next summer.
The centre will also include a waterslide, sauna, 200-metre, six-lane indoor track, 11,500 sq. ft. health, fitness and wellness centre, dance and culture studio room, youth centre, community multi-purpose room, child care services, Canadian Sports Centre Atlantic, a sports medicine and physiotherapy clinic and cafe.
The building is also designed to meet or exceed a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver rating. This means it will use rainwater to flush the toilets, have solar ducts and panels, low-flow plumbing, high-efficiency lighting, onsite bicycle racks and 30 per cent of waste generated during construction will be recycled.

ljones@hfxnews.ca

[worldlyhaligonian]

This thing is looking badass now.

CP/Bayers Lake is starting to get some density... this Regency Park development is going to have a huge impact on the whole area.

[Dmajackson]

I went by this tonight and ...

THIS THING IS F'ING HUGE!

(and starting to look good with the exterior well underway).

[cormiermax]

Yeah it is massive, Its gonna have a huge impact on the area.

[-Harlington-]

lookin good:

[Keith P.]

Geezus, it looks like a WWII-era airplane hangar. The architect must have checked his imagination at the door the day he did that design. But that's what you get when you accept low-tender bids for such things.

[fenwick16]

I am starting to look forward to the Canada Winter Games in Halifax in 2011 especially now with the Olympic Games going on.

I have always enjoyed watching the Canada Games since it is a chance to cheer for Nova Scotia in competition with athletes from across Canada in sports that I am interested in. With 2700 athletes partitcipating, this is a large event even compared to the Commonwealth Games (5000 athletes). Personally, I have more interest in the Canada Games than the Commonwealth Games since most of the sports are relevent to Canadian sports fans. The new Canada Games Centre doesn't seem to get much attention but it looks like an excellent facility. Although part of it really does look like an aircraft hangar (the roof trusses might actually be aircraft hangar trusses) there are a lot of similar sized facilities that look far worse. Personally I like the overall appearance of this facility.

This will be a chance to show that the Halifax area and Nova Scotia can host large events.