Recreational facility sparks interest
Committee may be formed to have input on future plans
A recent community meeting dealing with the importance of recreational facilities is moving on to the possible formation of a committee.
“We have at least 10 solid people so far from Glace Bay and surrounding areas,” said Matthew Lever.
“People just want to make sure Glace Bay and area will have input and that the centre will meet the needs of the community and be sustainable.”
Lever, an employee at YMCA of Cape Breton Nova Scotia Works Centre and a member of the Glace Bay Volunteer Fire Department, came forward not as part of any organization but as a citizen to organize a meeting to discuss recreational facilities.
“It turned into a discussion. I laid it out like a town hall but it ended up an open discussion with no microphones.”
About 35 people attended including Dist. 10 Coun. Darren Bruckschwaiger, Dist. 9 Coun. George MacDonald and Glace Bay MLA Geoff MacLellan.
Lever said there were two main camps of opinion — one advocating that the existing Bayplex be renovated and the second gravitating toward the building of a new facility.
“There was even suggestion of building on a new location such as Reserve Street rather than on the same site.”
Lever said he will touch base with those people interested in serving on the committee.
The committee’s focus will be to determine the wishes of the community.
“There was discussion on looking at ways to poll the community,” he said. “The plan is if we can get a committee off the ground to then start that process. The committee as a whole will decide the priorities.”
Bruckschwaiger thought the meeting went well and he believes the next step will be the formation of a committee.
“There were lots of different views and different ideas expressed.”
In July, Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Cecil Clarke announced the community’s recreation facility, the Bayplex, was unsafe and would close for up to a year to allow for necessary renovations.
Clarke has assured residents there will be a recreational facility in Glace Bay.