Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Seniors Not Happy with Rec Centre

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Owen Sound
by Jonathon Jackson    

Owen Sound’s city administration wanted to hear from the public regarding the new regional recreation complex at Victoria Park.

They specifically wanted to hear from seniors as to what they want in the new facility.

They heard loud and clear at a public meeting on Tuesday night that seniors want more space in the 37-million dollar complex.

Many are concerned that only 15 hundred square feet in the 125 thousand square foot complex has been devoted specifically for the use of seniors.

That’s just over one per cent of the building’s space.

The large crowd in attendance at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre was told, meanwhile, that the complex’s two arenas will take up nearly 60,000 square feet and the aquatic area will measure more than 31,000 square feet. Another 20,000 square feet in total will be devoted to fitness and gymnasium facilities.

Councillor Jim McManaman, chair of the complex’s steering committee, urges everyone to remember that the building is intended for the use of the entire community, including seniors.

The concerns of seniors will be addressed through an ad hoc committee that was established Monday night at city council.

Local senior Bernice Ackerman says it’s important that the voices of seniors are heard by the right people.

She says the city’s seniors deserve more respect for the contributions they have made and continue to make to Owen Sound.

Other seniors who spoke asked for things like a snooker table, portable horseshoe pits and a staff person devoted to seniors programming.

Other people wondered about economic barriers that might keep the entire community from enjoying the benefits of the rec complex.

A request was made for more seating or expanded viewing areas for the arenas and the pools.

The public also learned that the complex is intended to be built at the eastern edge of Victoria Park, along 8th Avenue East.

The site is currently occupied by a soccer field, a ball diamond and the eastern section of a half-mile gravel track.

A smaller track will be maintained, as will the football/soccer fields surrounded by the smaller oval.

The park’s grandstand will survive, but the existing Owen Sound Coliseum will be demolished after the new complex is up and running in the spring of 2011.