By NORAH HEELIS Charlotte County Civic Centre Project
Sometimes when you’re very involved with a project or community group you become so familiar with the basics that you forget that everyone else isn’t. We pretty much live and breathe Charlotte County Civic Centre these days. In fact, I most likely should apologize to a few of you (you know who you are) who wish we could change the channel just once in awhile! Sorry, but we are just really excited about making this project happen. That being said, our own immersion in and familiarity with the project may have kept us from sharing the big picture as often a we should have. The reason I think this might be true, is that lately more and more people have been asking about what elements will be housed within the facility. So, in this column, I have decided to outline these as they appear in the official brochure and on our website. It is worth noting that there is fine tuning left to do. Your best way to be part of that process is to join the growing team of project supporters. It’s a very exciting project in and of itself. But the excitement and promise of it grows in leaps and bounds as more and more citizens join the ‘Make it Happen Team’.
Indoor Aquatic Facility - $3.1 Million
The new Civic Centre’s aquatic facility will be designed to offer toddlers through seniors the widest range of water activities possible — from swimming and lifeguard instruction, to recreational and competitive pool time, to warm water therapy. The proposed new aquatic centre will feature an eight-lane, 25-metre training pool, including a free-form play and therapeutic section. The facility will also offer a large spectator area with a clear view of the entire pool, as well as a spacious and accommodating family change room and separate men’s and women’s locker rooms.
Indoor Ice Surface - $8.35 Million
Another prime preoccupation of Charlotte County residents over the past decade has been to resolve the age related inadequacies of the Border Arena. Not only has the existing facility become outdated and no longer able to accommodate the needs of its various user communities, it is not ideally suited to host non-ice activities and cultural and commercial events that can serve as a major draw for the benefit of the citizens of the county at large.
The proposed new arena complex will feature an NHL-sized ice surface with a seating capacity_of 1,500, offering excellent, unobstructed views of the ice surface. The facility will be equipped with ample change rooms and will be ideally suited to accommodate both leisure skating and more traditional competitive sports like hockey and figure skating.
In addition, given the size and versatile design of the arena complex, it will be able to meet a number of other community priorities by serving as an excellent venue for a wide range of events of local and regional appeal. These could include concerts and other artistic and cultural events, fairs and festivals, trade and consumer shows, and much more.
Walking/Jogging Track - $50,000
Although Charlotte County boasts a number of attractive outdoor options for citizens interested in walking or jogging, there are no indoor facilities available to meet such training and health needs during the winter months. Such facilities would be of particular benefit to seniors and others who do not feel at ease exercising outdoors, as well as for rehabilitation purposes for individuals with special needs or medical conditions.
Multi-Purpose Space $1.2 Million
In addition to satisfying the leisure, recreational and physical well-being requirements of the population, another important element of the new Charlotte County Civic Centre will be its multi-purpose space. This will encompass a number of comfortable and inviting areas and rooms where meetings, programs and activities can be held for all segments of the population, including youth and seniors. This multi-purpose component will contribute significantly to the "Town Square" environment and atmosphere the new facility will be designed to radiate, making it the ideal place to promote social interaction and enable people to enjoy their favorite pursuits in good company.
Boys and Girls Club $900,000
In order to provide a welcome solution to the shortcomings of the facilities currently occupied by the group in the Border Arena, the Civic Centre will become the new home of the Boys and Girls Club of Charlotte County and the Boys and Girls Club will become the Civic Centre's first paying tenant. Serving some 350 to 400 youths with a variety of enriching programs and activities, the Club will not only be able to enhance its offerings in its new premises, but also to attract and better serve a greater number of young people. Moreover, by taking up residence at the Civic Centre, the Boys and Girls Club will qualify to become a licensed entity, thus making it eligible for a variety of government funding programs that are currently inaccessible.
Administrative, General and Retail Space $1.4 Million
This space is to be allocated for staff offices, washrooms, lounge and concession areas, as well as for various possible retail operations such as a Pro shop, skate sharpening, promotional materials, and the like.
Need more info? Give us a call we would be pleased to meet with you.
Submitted by NORAH HEELIS fundraising campaign co-chair. For more information contact the Charlotte County Civic Centre at cccc@nb.aibn.com or call 466-5095.
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