Architect hired for Living Life Project

Town council has approved $124,000 to hire architects Garwood-Jones & Hanham to design the expansion of the recreation complex by adding an ice pad, an indoor pool and other facilities. This is counter to what was recommended in "The Recreation Complex Expansion Feasibility Study" prepared for the Town by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants in June 2005 which said:

1. St Marys has a deficit of 0.5 ice pads. The report states "Typically, we would not recommend the development of an additional ice surface unless demand was increasing and projected to reach 0.75 ice pads in the near future."

2. "Given the size of the St Marys and area population, the declining child/youth population, and the outdoor swimming opportunities currently, there is insufficient demand to recommend that the Town build an indoor pool at this time."

3. "It is not recommended that the St Marys and Area Arena and Community Centre be expanded to include a fitness centre. Without a fitness centre, it is likely an indoor walking track would not be viable either."

A full copy of the June 2005 report (1.84 mb) is at
http://townofstmarys.com/uploadedFiles/StMarys%20CC%20Study_Final%20Draft%20Report_June1%2005_MBPC.pdf

One of many letters to the editor about this project is at Living Life Project January 2006 Update