Yarmouth councillors express support for Mariners Centre expansion

Steering committee members for a proposed $30-million expansion at the Mariners Centre want to keep the ball rolling.

A presentation on the project was made last week to Yarmouth municipal council.

The project would include a new YMCA with a 25-metre pool and therapeutic pool, a public walking track and a multi-purpose space to include a curling rink.

Both the YMCA and curling rink are presently challenged with outdated facilities.

Melanie Mooney, a member of the steering committee and chair of the YMCA volunteer board of directors, spoke to council about the potential benefits of the proposed expansion.

“It has the potential to double the membership of the Y,” she said.

“It certainly will generate social and economic growth in the area and has the ability to address recreational shortfalls in the tri-counties, including a fullsize pool.”

Her presentation included a number of statistics. In southwest Nova Scotia about 45 per cent of the population is moderately active compared to 54 per cent in Nova Scotia, she said, while 71 per cent of this region’s population is overweight or obese, compared to 62 per cent in Nova Scotia.

“Having a facility like this would certainly help contribute to a healthy population,” she said.

She said it’s important to keep the project moving forward.

“The Mariners Centre is a good thing and what you’ve presented to us, we need that,” said Coun. Gerard Leblanc.

“It’s important for us to have this project go forward, there are compelling reasons. There’s widespread public support for this,” added Coun. Trevor Cunningham.