Expansion FAQs
Mariners Centre Expansion FAQs
Last Updated: April 2nd, 2024
What is the Mariners Centre?
Opening its doors in 2001, our community has grown up at Mariners Centre! For over 20 years, Mariners Centre has created a strong history of hosting regional and national events, and has been a hub for ice sport, entertainment, community and trade events.
Who owns Mariners Centre?
The Mariners Centre is owned jointly by the three municipalities: the Municipality of the District of Argyle, the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, and the Town of Yarmouth.
Why is there a need for an expansion?
The intent of the expansion is to provide additional recreational and community space that will better serve a wider audience, including seniors and under-represented populations in our region. The redevelopment strategy for the Mariners Centre aims to create a campus-style community hub for health, wellness, sport tourism, and economic trade that will serve our region for the next 50 years. Its central location on Jody Shelley Drive seeks to invite the entire Southwest Nova population to our doors.
With the closure of the Yarmouth YMCA in 2020, the community lost the only public pool facility in Southwest Nova Scotia. In late 2021, the Mariners Centre undertook the task of reopening the shuttered YMCA as a “bridge facility” to a future expansion. While the existing pool needs replacing, “Mariners on Main” has temporarily addressed the demand for aquatic, fitness and recreational programming until the Mariners Centre can be expanded to meet the growing demands of our community.
What are the priorities for the Mariners Centre Expansion project?
A contemporary, barrier free aquatics centre will include a 25m, six lane swimming pool. Alongside the lane pool, a well-designed leisure pool will host public swim fun, swimming lessons, aquatic therapy, and group fitness.
A new fitness centre will provide cardio, weights, and other recreational opportunities for all age groups, with particular focus on offering seniors a wellness resource that benefits their quality of life and ability to stay active and healthy well into retirement.
New multi-purpose space designed to support programming and activities for youth and youth at risk, families, seniors, and visitors alike.
An indoor walking track to allow for a safe and accessible year-round space for exercise no matter the weather.
What will the expansion look like?
The Mariners Centre expansion will create a new campus-style community hub for sport, health and wellness, entertainment and events that will serve our region for the next 50 years.
The expanded facility will be an inclusive and welcoming recreational space for all, featuring a modern aquatics centre, fitness centre, multi-purpose spaces and indoor walking track.
Design work commenced in August 2023, following concept selection. The selected concept is a one-level, detached building constructed on the northeast side of the Mariners Centre property. Earlier concepts featured a two-level addition to the current building, but the chosen concept offers a far more cost-effective option, both in terms of construction and maintenance. It also offers better accessibility, a more energy efficient design, and allows the current facility and parking lots to operate normally during construction.
Benefits of a stand-alone structure include:
Accessibility; no elevators or stairs
Closer to municipal services (less impact to existing services)
Mariners Centre driveways and parking lots remain unencumbered during construction
Simpler construction approach, more flexibility in design
More energy efficient design
We are now excited to invite community members to participate in upcoming sessions to discuss the current proposed design and offer their insights and perspectives on this stage of the design before it is advanced further. The feedback gathered during the public engagement sessions will help us in shaping the final design and programming decisions for the Mariners Centre expansion.
Why is the expansion not being added onto the existing building?
A key factor for deciding on a stand-alone design was our ability to stay within budget. A connected building was far more expensive, with the risk that some building components that the residents wanted could not be constructed. It also offers better accessibility, a more energy efficient design, and allows the current facility and parking lots to operate normally during construction.
How long will it take to build?
The timeline for the Mariners Centre expansion is going to tender in April/May and breaking ground in the summer of 2024, with construction completed by fall of 2026.
Do we have the funding required to build the expansion?
We are incredibly fortunate to have confirmed $29.9 million dollars for our project from all three levels of government, including $10M from our Municipal Partners, $15.9M from the Federal Government, and $4M from the Provincial Government. Even with these resources confirmed, the growing needs of our community require a successful fundraising campaign for our expansion to be a success.
A great deal of time and consideration has gone into design while staying within budget. Construction costs have increased >30% since planning began on the project. While we are bound by the budget, we are pushing the budget, and we want to make sure what we’re building is right for our community, today and into the future.
Will there be a Fundraising Campaign?
Yes! Fundraising for the expansion will be essential to ensure the spaces we build are set up for success. With $29.9 million already committed through all levels of government, an ambitious $10 million goal in community fundraising will bring total target funding to an estimated $40 million dollars.
There will be many opportunities to donate and volunteer once the community campaign is launched next summer (2024). Stay tuned!
What will happen to Mariners on Main (the former YMCA)?
The Mariners Centre is committed to keeping our Main St. location open until the expansion is complete. Re-opening the former YMCA as Mariners on Main has always been our “bridge to expansion”. In doing so, we re-opened a critical recreation space for our community, allowing our organization and staff the experience required to operate our future expansion. While we have addressed immediate demand for aquatic, fitness and recreational programming, the Main Street pool is undersized for the needs of the community and our growing Aquatics demands. Once construction is complete, services shall end at Mariners on Main and will transition to the new facility.
The Mariners on Main building is owned by the Town of Yarmouth. Town Council is currently considering options for repurposing the property once Mariners on Main services are relocated to the new facility on Starrs Road.
Where will the new expansion be located on the Mariners Centre property?
The new facility will be located on the northeast side of the Mariners Centre property adjacent to the existing parking lot (see image below):
What will happen to Mariners Centre activity during construction?
The existing Mariners Centre facility will not close during construction. With each phase of construction, careful consideration will go into how users can continue to access the facility safely. We are committed to maintaining open and transparent communication with our members throughout the construction process.
Will the community be able to provide input on the Expansion Design?
Thanks to past community engagement, we have clear direction on our current Project Priorities, which include:
Modern Aquatics Facility
New Fitness Centre
Indoor Walking Track
Multi-Purpose Spaces
We are excited to invite community members to participate in upcoming sessions to discuss the current proposed design and offer their insights and perspectives on this stage of the design before it is advanced further. The feedback gathered during the public engagement sessions will help us in shaping the final design and programming decisions for the Mariners Centre expansion.
Public engagement will take the form of in-person community meetings, online information and targeted group sessions – to name a few. We have committed to reviewing the input captured through these engagement efforts and providing a summary report to the Mariners Centre Expansion Board (MCEB), Project Lead and architects. We will also make the summary of feedback public to the community. This feedback will be considered for the next round of design.
Where can I stay up to date on the Project?
We will keep the “Expansion” web page on the Mariners Centre Website current with the project status, next steps, and links to current plans and more! Save this page to your favourites! https://marinerscentre.com/expansion. We also invite your questions and feedback to info@marinerscentre.com
We will also be frequently updating our Mariners Centre Facebook page throughout the project. Follow us on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/marinerscentre
What are we gaining in the expansion?
We are building an aquatics centre, fitness area, walking track and multi-purpose spaces. New features will include:
6-lane, 25 metre pool for training and regional competition
The first leisure pool in Southwest Nova Scotia
Hot tub
Indoor walking track
An accessible building
Free and ample parking
Environmentally friendly Net Zero Building
What are we losing in the expansion?
Through the expansion we are gaining or enhancing several spaces and offerings at the centre. However, while our current design achieves the top priorities identified in our community survey, our budget limits building everything we have today at Mariners on Main. The expansion does not include a half-court gymnasium, racquetball court, sauna, or a youth common room.
What will the new aquatics centre include?
Our new pool will feature a six-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, a separate leisure pool and a hot tub.
The larger six-lane, 25 metre pool will be fully equipped to support swim team training and regional competitions. The pool will have both a shallow and deep end to support multiple swim lessons, aquafit classes, and public swim fun! This pool will be fully accessible with a wheelchair ramp entry.
A separate leisure pool will feature gradual depths and will also support swimming lessons, aquatic exercise, and public swim fun. Practitioners and patients pursuing rehab programs will be well supported in our warmer, shallower leisure pool. This pool will also be fully accessible with a wheelchair ramp entry.
Permanent seating for 60 will be located in a raised gallery overlooking the lane and leisure pools. Temporary seating can also be brought in to support spectator requirements for Regional Swim Nova Scotia Meets. Fun features like a diving board, sprinkler features, suspended obstacle course, water basketball/volleyball and a 10-foot-high water slide are still being considered for the aquatics centre.
Will the new pool be able to host Swim Meets?
Our current design will be able to accommodate three Swim Nova Scotia Regional Meets per year, with 75-100 athletes per event. These events will include temporary deck seating for an additional 75-125 spectators. Permanent in-pool seating to observe swimming lessons, public swimming and training within the pool environment will host 60 people.
The Mariners Centre’s design aimed to provide a well-rounded and inclusive aquatic experience that caters to a wide range of community needs. We are committed to supporting local swimmers and athletes by offering various aquatic programs and services for skill development, fitness, and recreation.
What will the new fitness centre include?
Youth, adults, and seniors will work toward better physical health and mental well-being in our fitness centre that offers weights, cardiovascular machines and studio spaces for aerobics, spin, dance and yoga classes. At 5,000 sq ft., users can expect to see all of the great new equipment at Mariners on Main and room to grow with our communities’ needs. Two fitness studios accessible off the fitness floor will feature a collapsible dividing wall offering an option of 1 large room if needed.
Encircling the Fitness Centre will be a two-lane, 135M indoor walking track that will offer a safe training and exercise environment for individuals wishing to maintain mobility and cardiovascular health regardless of the weather. This walking track will serve a variety of users; from walkers, cross-trainers, and those looking to warm-up or cool down after their workout. The walking track will also support wheelchair access.
What will the multi-purpose spaces include?
The new multi-purpose spaces will be an open invitation for community members to host events, meetings receptions and other activities that connect people of all ages. Accessible directly from our lobby, the multi-purpose spaces will serve a range of activities from training, meetings, birthday parties and summer day camps. Collapsible walls allow for the two multi-purpose spaces to become one large room as needed with a capacity of 80 people.
How will the expansion ensure accessibility?
The Mariners Centre has been redesigned with a strong focus on inclusivity, ensuring that individuals with accessibility challenges can navigate and enjoy the facility with ease. All key amenities, including the aquatics centre, fitness centre, and multi-purpose spaces, have been designed to be accessible, allowing individuals with varying abilities to participate fully in recreational and fitness activities.
How will the Mariners Centre ensure that the voices and perspectives of underrepresented communities are effectively heard and incorporated into the redesign plans?
As part of our approach to engaging with stakeholders and rightsholders, in addition to more extensive community sessions, we are hosting smaller group discussions with representatives of important community stakeholders, including Acadians, African Nova Scotians, Mi’kmaq, 2SLGBTQ+, accessibility advocates, seniors, youth, and existing Mariners Centre facility users.
The focus on engaging underrepresented communities is to ensure that their unique perspectives and needs are heard and considered in the redesign process. The specific goals of these consultations are to foster inclusivity and representation in the Mariners Centre.
How is our feedback going to be used to influence the design?
The feedback gathered during stakeholder and public engagement sessions is important for our design team. We want to know that the community can see themselves in these spaces, and our designers need to know if we have done everything we can, within budget, to do so.
What transit options exist for Mariners Centre?
Bus routes take riders directly to Mariners Centre, and users who want to use the facilities outside of bus hours can still access the centre by alternative transit methods. It is an estimated 33-minute walk and 8-minute bike ride from Mariners on Main to the new facility.
The Mariners Centre in its new location will be more accessible to all three municipalities due to the proximity to the two highways.
What will access, memberships, and space rental costs look like for the new facility?
You can expect the model we’ve developed for membership, programming and space rentals for both Mariners on Main and Mariners Centre to carry over to our expansion. For those with financial barriers we plan to maintain our ‘Pay What You Can’ program, free weekly fitness schedule and Teen Takeover Nights for youth. Today we are one organization across two facilities. The expansion will simply bring that second, more modern, facility onto our Mariners Centre campus. Users can continue to access all of our services, schedules and programming off our website. Existing members will be maintained in our system as we make the move to our new facility.
Why was the decision made to include universal change rooms?
We appreciate your feedback and concerns regarding the proposed universal change rooms at the Mariners Centre. We want to assure you that we are actively considering these concerns to create a facility that is inclusive, safe, and responsive to the diverse needs of our community.
To be clear, a universal change room will not have men and women changing together. The design of universal change rooms incorporates individual changing cubicles to enhance privacy, and users may only change or remove clothing in private stalls. Clear rules and enforcement mechanisms will be established to maintain a secure environment. We are striving for inclusivity and access for all while creating privacy where most needed to enhance comfort.
Gender-designated change rooms lack privacy and accessibility for many users, including those who have personal health requirements or mobility challenges, those who are transgender or transitioning, and those who may require assistance from someone of a different gender – including children and older adults. Recognizing diversity is a fundamental aspect of our design, we are committed to creating an inclusive space that respects the needs and preferences of individuals from different age groups, genders, culture, religions, and backgrounds.
While this is a newer concept for our community, universal washrooms and change rooms have become the standard across North America. This is already being reflected in Southwest Nova Scotia – in 2020 Keji National Park underwent renovations to update their facilities to universal change rooms. The Mariners Centre is seeking to create a hub for sport, health and wellness, entertainment and events that will serve our community for the next 50 years. If we are not forward thinking with our approach today, designs that prioritize gender-designated spaces may require future renovation as community needs evolve overtime.