Edmonton considering a shift to smaller, cheaper rec centres to build them faster
Users of the oldest public swimming pool in Edmonton celebrated a small victory Tuesday as a new Scona Rec Centre was added to the queue of projects awaiting funds.
"We’re hoping…this decade some time, you know?" laughed Elaine Solez with Friends of Scona Rec.
At roughly 65 years old, Scona Pool is ready to be replaced. But rather than stopping there, a group of residents figured an expanded $76 million recreation centre would be better for their mature neighbourhood.
"A small, compact rec centre could have a pool, a gym, a fitness area, multi-purpose room and just kind of fit on the park. It’s not a big park," Solez explained.
For the last few decades, Edmonton has focused recreation funds on massive new facilities like the Meadows and Terwillegar Rec Centres. Those are both designed to be all-encompassing community hubs that serve large sections of the city.
But those facilities often cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and take many years to build, which is why city staff and council are working on a new approach.
"Many of us would like to see some consideration of either building the big, multi-piece, big mega rec centre in phases, or splitting those off into smaller pieces," said Coun. Tim Cartmell.
That strategy could mean communities don’t have to wait a generation for a pool or a gym.
Council is also looking at new uses for community leagues. In an effort to create more walkable neighbourhoods, underused halls could offer up space for dance lessons, or cultural groups.
"l think leagues are really really well positioned to help move this forward," said Laura Cunningham-Shpeley with Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues.
"What can we put in there during the day times? Where are there open spots, and groups that match?"
Funding for the Rollie Miles Leisure Centre and park renewal, including the Scona Pool replacement, will be debated as part of the 2023-26 budget deliberations.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.