SaltWire E-Edition

Survey about Mariners Centre expansion causes furor

CARLA ALLEN TRI-COUNTY VANGUARD

A survey conducted by the Municipality of Yarmouth that contacted 400 residents in Yarmouth County has riled up partnering units — the Municipality of Argyle and Town of Yarmouth.

Those councils were not made aware a phone survey was being conducted, nor did they have input on the questions which focused on a proposed Mariners Centre expansion and the use of the former YMCA pool as a “bridge” until the larger project was constructed.

The Municipality of Argyle discussed the matter at its April 27 committee of the whole meeting. The Town of Yarmouth raised concerns on April 22.

Town deputy mayor Steve Berry said there were a lot of people “fired up” about the survey, himself included.

“A lot of the questions were loaded,” he said.

Yarmouth Mayor Pam

Mood said she had “never, ever seen a municipality unit cross the boundary of another unit and poll their people.”

Municipality of Argyle Deputy Warden Nicole Albright, chair of the Mariners Centre new build committee, said the survey was inappropriate.

“I would assume that being chair of that committee I would have been privy to some of these questions beforehand,” she said. “We had no input whatsoever on this survey. In several places in the survey, the word ‘delayed’ was used. So they’re planting a seed that we’re going to be delaying one of our projects ... I feel like it was a big breach of trust.”

Albright used the following survey question as an example: “A bridge project is being considered involving renovating the existing aquatics centre at 275 Main St. until the Mariners Centre expansion is complete. To what extent do you support or oppose investing tax dollars in 275 Main St. as an interim solution for providing access to an aquatics centre in the Yarmouth area?”

“Being considered? We’ve all given money to the bridge project,” she said. “I can’t wrap my head around how this went down the way that it did.”

In an April 28 media release the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth (MODY) released data from the survey, which was conducted by research firm MQO. It said the survey quantified strong support of the Mariners Centre expansion and an interim bridge solution.

“Understanding where regional residents stand on social and infrastructural needs is critical for the District of Yarmouth Council to make the most informed decisions possible.” said Warden John Cunningham. “As the largest municipality, and likely the largest municipal contributor, this research is essential to better gauge residents’ position on how and where money should be spent.”

The muncipality said the survey indicated more education on the project is needed, as 45 per cent of respondents indicated low or no familiarity about it. The survey determined 92 per cent of people support the Mariners Centre expansion. The most desired amenities ranked as: 91 per cent for a six-lane 25 metre pool; 81 per cent for a twolane walking track; and 74 per cent for a fitness centre. When asked about the bridge option, 70 per cent of respondents supported re-opening 275 Main St., the location of the former YMCA; 50 per cent supported a proportionate public expenditure for this.

MODY’s CAO Victoria Brooks said the survey was created with the hope that it would support both projects and strengthen the competitive funding application to senior government.

“MODY is 100 per cent behind a bridge solution leading to an expansion at Mariners Centre. MODY has already contributed $75,000 to the bridge fund and has put $2 million aside for the expansion,” she said. “As we are three separate municipal units, we are responsible for protecting our taxpayers’ money. We needed to do our due diligence to see the level of support out there for these projects. As we see that there is support, we can feel confident investing more money into such projects in the future and so can other funders of the project.”

OPINION

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2021-05-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-05-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://saltwire.pressreader.com/article/281586653463305

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