News Release

Council Approves Community Facility Master Plan in principle

(Tuesday, May 27, 2008) - Halifax Regional Council approved the Community Facility Master Plan (CFMP) in principle today. The plan, which encompasses research from the Indoor Recreation Facility Master Plan, along with broad consultation of the public through focus groups, Open Houses, telephone and online survey, will work with HRM's existing plans to guide future decision making relative to Community Facility development.

"The Community Facility Master Plan is a forward-looking document directed towards making more useful and life-cycle cost effective capacity available for the recreational, community and cultural aspirations of the citizens of HRM," said John Lindsay Jr, Chair of the CFMP Steering Committee.

The CFMP is guided by a Steering Committee which encompasses citizens, Councillors, HRM Staff and key representation from Nova Scotia Health Promotion and Protection, Halifax Regional School Board, Sport Nova Scotia, Capital Health. The project was also guided by Consultants from Bernie Asbell Management Innovations.

"Community Facilities are the focal point and physical definition of community heart and active living," said Lindsay. "Implementing the plan is HRM's key investment in the delivery of health, which is of vital importance to the Municipality and its citizens."

Specifically, Regional Council approved the plan's Guiding Principles, which:
• encourages integrated planning (working collaboratively with Council and municipal departments)
• works with the needs and expectations of the population and its distribution within the municipality
• includes program opportunities for community based arts and culture
• encourages the usage of buildings other than those that are municipally owned
• maintains and creates a balance between investing in new assets, and existing facilities

Each major component of the CFMP will be presented as an implementation plan to Council for approval. "The CFMP is a strategic approach to enhancing the quality of life of citizens through the provision of sustainable, planned, accessible and appropriate community facilities," says Betty Lou Killen, CFMP Project Manager.

For more information, or to download a copy of the report, visit www.halifax.ca/facilities/CFMP

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For more information, please contact:
Betty Lou Killen, Halifax Regional Municipality, 490-4833