Corner Brook's new rec centre will boost local amenities when it opens in the fall, says city

When Corner Brook's new recreation centre opens its doors this fall, it'll offermore amenities for residents to enjoy, says the city.

The building will house a new training pool, children's pool, child-care centre, fitness centre, gymnasium and a multipurpose room.

Peter Robinson, Corner Brook's director of recreation services, says the facility will offer a lot of services for people with different needs, all the while contributing to their well-being.

"We can host events that we normally wouldn't be able to host, and with this new facility we'll be able to welcome more people to Corner Brook," Robinson told CBC News.

The new child-care centre will help address the ongoing shortage of daycare services, he said.Other amenities, like the pool, will give people access to recreational opportunities they normally don't have, he added.

Corner Brook has moreamenities than comparably sizedcities, he said, like its multitude of playgrounds, sports facilities for baseball, soccer andbeach volleyball, and skate parks.

"It's really a wealth of opportunities here," said Robinson.

A committee-of-the-whole meeting report fromearlier this month said construction work will be completed inlate spring. The update also said painting and plastering is nearly doneand the installation of pool mechanical equipment is happening now.

Robinsonsaid construction is on schedule, so the city can open the facility to the public in the coming months.

"The spaces are starting to take shape really well and we're excited. We're targeting September, and it's looking really good for a September opening right now."

Conference offers development and networking

This past weekend Corner Brook hostedRecreation N.L.'s annual general meeting and conference.

Robinson said the conference is a way to showcase what the town has to offer and he wants people to see how great the city is.

Jerry Knee, acting president of Recreation N.L.,said the conference offers professional development and networking opportunities beyond sessions like grant writing.

"A lot of folks come to share ideas, get new ideas, ask questions and just meet up with colleagues, friends and have a good time," said Knee.

Robinson saidthe conference allows people in the recreation sector to connect and hear about new ideas that might work in their own communities.

Knee said recreation is a broad group with a lot of different organizations, and what they do is important.

"We often refer to it as the glue that holds municipalities together," he said, as they bring events and sports into communities.

Knee said Recreation N.L.'s services, like professional development and networking opportunities, helpmembers provide better recreational services in their communities.

Knee said the activities a city can offer are limited by the facilities it has, and the new facility will increase what Corner Brook can offer residents.

"It is a broad, encompassing space," said Knee."And it gives those people in Corner Brook an opportunity to kind of get out and explore some additional options."

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