NEW GLASGOW, N.S. –
Does New Glasgow’s east side need an indoor multi-sport facility?
That’s what the Town expects to learn from a feasibility study to be conducted this year.
The Town was approached in 2019 by various local groups; The Pictou County Athletics & Recreation Society, the Pictou County Lightning basketball program, North Nova Education Centre and the organization that oversees the Johnny Miles Running Events.
New Glasgow chief administrative officer (CAO) Lisa MacDonald said those and other groups might benefit from such a facility.
“We’ve been working with these groups for some time,” she said.
“The feasibility study will determine if our community – and by community, I mean all of Pictou County – has an overall need, and a demand for it.”
With the movement of the YMCA into the Pictou County Wellness Centre (PCWC), as well as the demolition of John Brother MacDonald Stadium, there isn't much in the way of of recreational facilities on the east side, the CAO added.
A plot of Town-owned land almost directly across from NNEC has been identified as the spot to put the structure, if the project happens.
“It’s a perfect location," said Johnny Miles race director Terry Curley. The Town has land available, so those things are aligned. But it has to be affordable for everyone – there’s no sense putting up a nice new building if some people can’t afford to go.”
PAYING FOR THE STUDY
The Town is waiting to see if the Province will kick in $12,000 toward the $52,900 study. PCA and the Lightning basketball program have combined to put $3,000 in the kitty, with New Glasgow prepared to pick up the remainder, about $38,000.
Tentative plans include having an indoor track and field facility, outfitted with basketball courts to service the Lightning program, which has hundreds of local children playing basketball.
Curley said the running community in Pictou County would like to have a proper indoor facility to run in the winter months, but added that the Lightning and PCA would likely gain greater benefit from it.
“Anything that provides a method for people to get active, we’re all for it,” he said.
MacDonald said that such a building could also serve groups such as the Pictou County Invasion volleyball program and would cater to families struggling financially by offering recreational options at a very low cost (MacDonald estimated the cost would be less than $2 per visit).
MacDonald also said that “the wellness centre, quite frankly, is not accessible for some families.”
Curley said the building has to be financially sustainable, so that taxpayers aren’t footing steep bills for another recreational-based piece of infrastructure.
He said it’s possible that some health-related businesses – such as physiotherapists – might also rent space in the building, but stressed there’s a long way to go before the best model will be determined, if the proposal gets the go-ahead.
“It’s all just brainstorming right now, we’ve got to get this study done first.”
