A proposed community centre to serve Bedford and Kingswood was enthusiastically supported by most of the 150 or so area residents that attended the Northwest Community Council meeting on Thursday night at the LeBrun Centre.

The centre would be built alongside the new high school on Innovation Dr. near the RIM building in West Bedford. The school is scheduled to open in September 2013.

The centre would include a community gym, several multi-purpose rooms, and an outdoor artificial turf field to accommodate football, soccer and other sports. The capital cost of the 22,000-square foot facility is estimated to be $12.5 million, according to HRM staff.

In addition to provincial funding, the facility would be partially funded by area residents through a small tax levy, referred to as an area rate. At current estimates, the rate would be about $18 per year for every $100,000 of assessed property value paid over 10 years, according to HRM.

Residents who attended the meeting felt the opportunity to build a much-needed community centre was too great to pass up and had no issue with a small increase in their property taxes. One resident said he would event be willing to write a cheque on the spot for the entire 10 years, if need be.

Besides fulfilling the enormous demand for sports facilities in the area, another resident said the centre would become a focal point where Bedford-area residents could meet and cultivate a sense of community.

But not everyone in attendance welcomed the proposed plans. There were several Kingswood area residents who felt the plan was too rushed. Other Kingswood residents opposed the plan expressing their desire to see a separate community centre closer to their community.

And at a meeting earlier this week, residents in Hammonds Plains expressed their opposition to paying an additional levy for a community centre; they already pay one for the St. Margaret’s Centre. Many of these residents said they likely wouldn’t use the proposed facility because of the St. Margaret’s Centre.

As a result of the opposition, residents who live in District 23, west of Lucasville Road, will no longer be included in the proposed area rate catchment. These areas, represented by Councillor Peter Lund, include Glen Arbour, White Hills, Maplewood and a portion of Pockwock Road up to and including Taylor Lake Drive.

Residents who live east of Lucasville Road, including all of Kingswood, would still be included in the proposed area rate.

If the proposed centre is approved by Halifax Regional Council, any residents who currently pay an area rate for the St Margaret’s Centre will no longer be required to do so, according to an HRM letter sent to area residents.

What’s next?

– February 8 – Regional Council Presentation and Recommendation.
– Pending approval, finalization of design and final costs from Province.
– School and Community enhancements are scheduled to be open September 2013.

For more information, please visit the website at: www.halifax.ca/facilities.