Queens recreation centre work continues

“Next steps are surveying, site design, sewer and water installation and road construction, which will start in the spring or summer,” said Region of Queens Municipality Recreation and Community Facilities Director, Norm Amirault.

Queens Place is a $20-million recreation facility, which will house a 900 seat NHL size arena, walking track, aquatics centre, a fitness centre and a community room.

Amirault said construction of the building would begin in the spring of 2009.

Queens Place will be open to the public in the fall of 2010.

Right now a fundraising plan and communications strategy is in the works.

The Region of Queens Municipality has a job opening for a fundraising/communication officer.

“Our council is optimistic that an individual with suitable professional qualifications will be interested in providing strong leadership to our committee, staff and community volunteers to help us reach our fundraising goal of $2-million,” stated Recreation Facility Project Committee Chairperson, Doug Adams.

The position is for one year beginning in April.

Amirault estimated the main part of a fundraising campaign would take 12 to 18 months, which is on schedule.

Last October the Nova Scotia provincial government contributed $5-million towards Queens Place through a Department of Health Promotion and Protection program called Building Facilities and Infrastructure Together.

It was also decided Queens Place will have a fitness centre to be run by the facility.

Plans are in the works to keep residents updated on project developments, updates, photographs and more via email.

Those interested in receiving updates should email dhenley@regionofqueens.com.