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Gazette Grand Forks
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
VOL 116 NO. 2
page 13
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Aquatic centre expansion reconsidered
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For the Grand Forks Gazette
Changing demographics and increasing use of recreation facilities have prompted the recreation commission of the Grand Forks Recreation Department to again consider expansion of the Grand Forks Aquatic Centre. Gene Robert, chairman of the recreation commission, said that the recommendation is being considered because the current facilities are simply not adequate to meet the needs of area residents. Robert cited overcrowding of the fitness room and waiting lists for a number of programs. “The weight room is always crowded and people are often lined up to use the exercise equipment,” Robert said. Grand Forks Mayor Brian Taylor agreed. “You have to shoe-horn your way in,” he said. “Often you get there and you can’t find a machine, or people are waiting for machines.” Both Robert and Taylor believe that an improved facility would contribute to the overall well-being of the community, a goal that they say is supported by the Interior Health Authority. In addition to creating more space for active exercise, Taylor said, “The long-term plan there is to lease out available space to physiotherapy and to attempt to get Interior Health to participate in
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the creating of a healthy environment in Grand Forks. I think we have them philosophically on board in that they would like to see this kind of active, healthy community, reducing their costs.” Interior Health had a conference in the Kootenays last year that focused on “partnering with your community,” Taylor said, and though he realizes that they are facing serious financial constraint, he believes that an expansion of the aquatic centre’s facilities might be a good opportunity for such partnering. The last referendum on funding the expansion of the aquatic centre was held during the 2011 elections – it was defeated by 76 votes. “It was stacked up against some pretty big decisions for borrowing by the city that were put forward in the referendum,” Taylor said, “$5.5 million worth.” However, Taylor felt that the community may value the improved service the expansion would provide more than that vote indicated. The 2011 proposal would have added 223 square metres (2,400 square feet) to the facility and increased homeowner taxes in the city and Area D by an estimated $40 and $70 dollars annually. Robert hopes that such an increase would not deter the voters should the project come once more to referendum. “My view is that it was the
rec centre that brought me back into wanting to become more fit,” he said. “It gets you involved in the whole fitness process and then, if you want to make a greater commitment, you can move down the street to the commercial establishments as many have done.” For Taylor, the aquatic centre and its programs are part of an integrated approach to health and wellness. “We’ve created this pedestrian kind of culture within the city, and we’d like to improve that.” He said exercise, aquatics and weight training are among the best means for seniors, in particular, to improve their quality of life. When asked about the need for the expansion, John Mackey, director of recreation and facilities, said, “Twenty people will often show up for fitness programs where we only have room for 10 or 12. Here we are trying to promote healthy lifestyles and we can’t accommodate the individuals. The idea was resurrected again by people who were saying that there was no room to expand.” The recreation commission will meet to discuss proposing an expansion at its meeting on Jan. 17. If it makes that recommendation, then it will begin to look into funding alternatives. Anyone interested in taking part in the discussion can contact the aquatic centre at 250442-2202.
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