As Owen Sound officials look into funding applications for a new recreational facility — they are looking to a similar success story in Goderich.
Staff from the City of Owen Sound and the Family Y are using the multi use facility in Goderich as inspiration for their proposed rec centre.
Goderich’s Maitland Recreation Centre opened in 2004 at an overall cost of 19-million dollars.
Mayor of Goderich Deb Shewfelt says it took a lot of time and changes to Town Council’s thinking before everyone was onboard with the idea.
Shewfelt says they started off with a fundraising initiative, which saw the community commit to 4.5 million dollars.
Goderich also received about 3.5 million in grant money from the government.
He says the yearly payment the town makes is under a very aggressive plan, at just under a million dollars, and they’re set to have the whole building paid off by 2011.
Shewfelt says the town owns the building while the YMCA runs the programming and keeps the facility operating.
He says an arms-length Board of Directors is in place, with one member of council always sitting on it and reporting back to council on operations.
Shewfelt also believes the MRC has helped immensely in doctor recruitment.
He says they’ve had a few doctors decide settle in Goderich because of the town’s commitment to healthy programming.
Owen Sound’s new facility would be located at Victoria Park, where the Coliseum now stands.
The proposal calls for a large indoor pool, fitness centre, gym, activity rooms, a walking track and a new ice pad — maybe two.
The proposed cost is 25 million dollars.