News Release
Re-Structuring Plan Approved for Sackville Sports Stadium
(Wednesday, May 7/2003)-- Halifax Regional Municipality and Sackville's Lake District Recreation Association (LDRA) have agreed to revamp the organizational structure of the Sackville Sports Stadium to make it consistent with other major facility operating agreements, it was announced today.
George McLellan, HRM's Chief Administrative Officer, and Steve Craig, Chair of the Lake District Recreation Association, said the restructuring represents the beginning of a joint process to make the Sackville Sports Stadium a more financially viable operation and ensure its long term future for the region.
HRM's Financial Services and Real Property and Asset Management Services, in cooperation with the Executive Management Committee of the Board and senior staff at the facility, recently conducted a review of the operations at the Sackville Sports Stadium in light of its recent financial difficulties.
The report, which recommended change in the areas of governance, financial controls, operations, facility agreements, cash/subsidy management and opportunities, was received and accepted by Regional Council last evening.
Mr. McLellan said HRM recognizes the requirement for active community involvement in the delivery of recreational programming and facilities for the greater Sackville area.
However, HRM believes the management and operation of the Sackville Sports Stadium should be based on the management model HRM uses in other major facility agreements e.g single-purpose Boards.
The review recommends that the Sackville Sports Stadium have its own Board of Directors, to reflect the complexity of the operation and significant growth in recent years.
Steve Craig, Chair of the Sackville Lake District Recreation Association, says the Association has been committed to providing recreation programming and facilities to the Sackville area since 1971. LDRA owns/operates the Sackville and District Community Arena and owns the Sackville Leisure Centre, which is managed by a unique collaboration of seven community non-profit organizations.
Mr. Craig said the restructuring plan for the Sackville Sports Stadium may result in an improved and enhanced operation of the facility and ensure its long-term use.
He said the transition from a multi-purpose to a single-entity Board for the Sackville Sports Stadium, may provide greater flexibility and help facilitate change. There will be a Transition Team, composed of representatives of HRM and LDRA.
Both Mr. McLellan and Mr. Craig expressed their support for the Sackville Sports Stadium and committed to keeping staff informed about the recommended changes to take place at the facility in the coming months.
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George McLellan
Chief Administrative Officer, HRM
(902) 490-4026
Steve Craig
Chair, Lake District Recreation Association
(902) 499-9337
