The impending closure of the Grenfell Campus, Memorial University facility leaves the city with only the Arts and Culture Centre pool, which is also an aging structure that will not be able to meet the demand.
The YMCA spearheaded a community forum in hopes of exploring ideas on how to move forward. Hoping not to provide the nearly 200 people who attended an avenue to target any particular groups, the forum focused on finding solutions.
It was clear from the get-go the room was filled with people who trusted the YMCA and its staff to bring the community together and plan to eventually build a new recreational aquatic centre.
For Jade Kearley, chair of the YMCA board, and Christine Young, chief executive officer, such an endorsement was just what they wanted to hear. Kearley said they are ready to take on such a project, but understands it will require the contributions of all levels of government and community partnerships.
“We are ready to do this,” she said. “This opportunity has presented itself, and we could provide the other services that go along with it so that we can properly manage a facility that includes a pool.”
While they were as shocked as many in the community were to hear of the closure of the Grenfell pool, it soon turned into the realization of the opportunity it presented. The local YMCA has long deemed itself as worthy of operating a major recreational facility in Corner Brook, often lobbying the city to partner with them on a new recreational centre.
The forum generated countless ideas of what could be included in a new aquatic centre, how it should be funded, what partners should be involved and how not to compete with existing facilities and services. Young said they will gather all the feedback and ideas presented, and will solicit funding to do a feasibility study on the issue.
“You know we are great operators,” Young said. “It is what we do.”
When asked what the “must haves” were for a new facility, the desires came in abundance. It was clear, people do not want the 25-metre, plain structure it has been utilizing in the city for more than 40 years. The needs for competitive swimming and other aquatic sports are wide. It must at least be a 50-metre facility for racing, and an extension to include cool down or warms up was suggested. There is a need for at least eight lanes and sufficient size to include multiple users such as synchronized swimming and other competitive aquatic sports.
There must be adequate space for viewing — above and below water was recommended — and competitive diving boards and related training programs. Space inside was not the only importance, but adequate parking outside.
It wasn’t just competitive swimmers who wanted the best, but also a longing for therapeutic and health-related resources and services. A zero entry pool is a must, and people want hot tubs, saunas, and water slides.
“We want the best for Corner Brook,” one man within the group said following his list of desires.
It didn’t stop there. A recreational centre should include a gymnasium, fitness room, and a daycare. It was well into discussion about how the facility needed to compliment rather than compete with other facilities in the area that the suggestions of ensuring the facility is sustainable and actually what is needed rather than wanted.
While the facilitator, Susan Fowlow, reminded the group to focus on solutions, it was when the focus turned to short-term solutions that the discussion turned political.
Through it all, the overwhelming notion seemed to be finding a way to keep the Grenfell pool open for the years it will take to build a new one. If that doesn’t happen, the opinion is the need to extend the hours at the Arts and Culture Centre Pool is a must.
The impending closure of the Grenfell Campus, Memorial University facility leaves the city with only the Arts and Culture Centre pool, which is also an aging structure that will not be able to meet the demand.
The YMCA spearheaded a community forum in hopes of exploring ideas on how to move forward. Hoping not to provide the nearly 200 people who attended an avenue to target any particular groups, the forum focused on finding solutions.
It was clear from the get-go the room was filled with people who trusted the YMCA and its staff to bring the community together and plan to eventually build a new recreational aquatic centre.
For Jade Kearley, chair of the YMCA board, and Christine Young, chief executive officer, such an endorsement was just what they wanted to hear. Kearley said they are ready to take on such a project, but understands it will require the contributions of all levels of government and community partnerships.
“We are ready to do this,” she said. “This opportunity has presented itself, and we could provide the other services that go along with it so that we can properly manage a facility that includes a pool.”
While they were as shocked as many in the community were to hear of the closure of the Grenfell pool, it soon turned into the realization of the opportunity it presented. The local YMCA has long deemed itself as worthy of operating a major recreational facility in Corner Brook, often lobbying the city to partner with them on a new recreational centre.
The forum generated countless ideas of what could be included in a new aquatic centre, how it should be funded, what partners should be involved and how not to compete with existing facilities and services. Young said they will gather all the feedback and ideas presented, and will solicit funding to do a feasibility study on the issue.
“You know we are great operators,” Young said. “It is what we do.”
When asked what the “must haves” were for a new facility, the desires came in abundance. It was clear, people do not want the 25-metre, plain structure it has been utilizing in the city for more than 40 years. The needs for competitive swimming and other aquatic sports are wide. It must at least be a 50-metre facility for racing, and an extension to include cool down or warms up was suggested. There is a need for at least eight lanes and sufficient size to include multiple users such as synchronized swimming and other competitive aquatic sports.
There must be adequate space for viewing — above and below water was recommended — and competitive diving boards and related training programs. Space inside was not the only importance, but adequate parking outside.
It wasn’t just competitive swimmers who wanted the best, but also a longing for therapeutic and health-related resources and services. A zero entry pool is a must, and people want hot tubs, saunas, and water slides.
“We want the best for Corner Brook,” one man within the group said following his list of desires.
It didn’t stop there. A recreational centre should include a gymnasium, fitness room, and a daycare. It was well into discussion about how the facility needed to compliment rather than compete with other facilities in the area that the suggestions of ensuring the facility is sustainable and actually what is needed rather than wanted.
While the facilitator, Susan Fowlow, reminded the group to focus on solutions, it was when the focus turned to short-term solutions that the discussion turned political.
Through it all, the overwhelming notion seemed to be finding a way to keep the Grenfell pool open for the years it will take to build a new one. If that doesn’t happen, the opinion is the need to extend the hours at the Arts and Culture Centre Pool is a must.