NEWS RELEASE

East Dartmouth Community Centre Grand Opening

 

(Friday, August 8, 2008) The long awaited East Dartmouth Community Centre will officially open Saturday at a community celebration. The project, located on Caledonia Road in Dartmouth, has been at various stages of development for over 20 years.

“I am thrilled that council worked hard with the community and our federal and provincial partners to take this project from dream to reality over the past three years,” says Councillor Andrew Younger (East Dartmouth-The Lakes). “ The centre will provide an immediate boost to the community by providing access to community recreation options, housing the Boys and Girls Club in a proper facility, and improving the amenities of the Beazley Field recreation complex.”

In 2005, a new community association, the Dartmouth East Recreation Centre Society, was formed to work with HRM elected representatives and staff to move the project off the drawing board and to reality. The association and elected officials worked together to develop a capital funding strategy which was approved by Regional Council.

“Regional Council has recognized the need for a community recreation facility in East Dartmouth,”says Mayor Peter Kelly. “We are pleased to partner with the community and, in particular, the Boys and Girls Club of Dartmouth East and our provincial and federal partners on this project.”

The total project cost is approximately $5.5 million. The project funding includes $1.1 million from each of the Provincial and Federal Governments and $2.85 million from the Halifax Regional Municipality. Community fundraising is continuing with over $250,000 raised to date in cash and in-kind contributions.

"This new centre will provide residents of East Dartmouth with an excellent venue to help them get active,” says Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations." “Providing children, families, and seniors with accessible places to participate in sport and recreation will help our province build safer, stronger and healthier communities.”

Halifax Regional Council has approved an agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of Dartmouth East to manage the building on behalf of the municipality. Community partners such as area businesses, the Canadian Forces, the United Way, and local service clubs have all been actively involved in helping to make the facility a reality.

“This project, a true community effort, is important to all of Dartmouth, and East Dartmouth in particular,” says Councillor Bill Karsten (Portland-East Woodlawn). “The demand for community space of all types has been growing and this facility will fill an important need.”

The centre is an environmental showcase. A LEED Silver building, it includes such features as geothermal heating and cooling, a green roof, and natural lighting.

The building includes the new home of the Boys and Girls Club of Dartmouth East, public recreation and meeting spaces, and a Patrol and Community Response office for Halifax Regional Police. Interior signage and moving in of tenants will occur throughout August. Programming will begin at the centre in September.

The official opening ceremony, public tours, and the 4th Annual Great East Dartmouth BBQ (including free hot dogs, water, face painting, and bounce castles) will begin at 11 AM on Saturday, August 9th at the centre at Beazley Field. The ceremony is scheduled to last approximately 25 minutes and the overall event will close at 2 PM.  Federal, provincial, municipal, and community representatives will be in attendance.  All are welcome.

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Contacts:
Councillor Andrew Younger
East Dartmouth-The Lakes
(902) 476-1727

Mayor Peter Kelly
(902) 490-4010

Councillor Bill Karsten
Portland-East Woodlawn
(902) 476-1855

Deborah Story, Manager
Marketing, Design, & Print Services
Corporate Communications
490-6787
storyd@halifax.ca