(Photo: TDCB)
Public consultations for the City of Moncton’s Recreational Master Plan are slated to begin this Spring and Summer.
However, Ward 3 City Councillor Brian Butler has already made his wish list public, and it includes a new pool in the North End.
Hired to identify areas of strength and needs, Trace Planning and Design reported to Moncton City Council that the municipality requires another pool.
Butler, who frequently touts the growth of his ward, said in an interview that the population of Ward 3 will exceed 27,000 after the upcoming municipal reforms. He noted a pool in the area will prove beneficial for the neighbouring Ward 4 as well.
“We’re trying to get back to the neighbourhood philosophy where people don’t have to travel forever to get someplace like you feel like there’s a continuity to your area,” said Butler.
If plans to construct a North End pool are to come to fruition, Butler said its important funds be put away in the immediate future to cover the cost.
Butler said his belief is that the city should “shoot for the stars,” and create a plan that could receive contributions from the provincial and federal governments.
“I would love to have an indoor pool where the province of New Brunswick is doing the 2029 Summer Games, you know what a good time to start investing in infrastructure now and have it for the future,” Butler remarked.
It’s still undetermined which New Brunswick city will host the games, but the bid process is expected to launch in Fall 2023, with a host community announcement slated for 2025.
As growth in the North End persists, Butler hopes the city will decentralize its resources and what better way to start than a swimming pool and a new sports facility.
“I just don’t want to see a master plan come then get pout on a shelf and gather dust. I think it’s time now that we start planning for the future for this area.”
