Dome skates closer to life(Bedford Sackville Weekly 12/06/08)

With the latest provincial government investment of $700,000, and the previously announced $300,000 in 2007, the long awaited Rocky Lake "Dome" (temporary ice surface) is now fully funded and on schedule for a September opening. This $1 million is in addition to the $1.2 million repayable loan used to purchase the 50-acre site adjacent CP Allen High School. The entire project will include the ice surfaces, multipurpose artificial-turf fields, and a field house.

The Rocky Lake Development Association (RLDA) has now assumed responsibility for the construction of the first ice surface. The volunteer board has a general contractor in place to co-ordinate construction and a technical expert to oversee all engineering aspects, which will facilitate HRM's permit and planning process.

With the provincial-government funding, the board, chaired by local lawyer Barry Mason, is now in a financial position to complete this vital first leg of the project.

The closure in 2007 of the Akerley Campus ice surface exacerbated an already serious space issue. Seniors-level ice time became difficult, if not impossible at times to arrange. Local hockey organizations, such as the Bedford Minor Hockey Association, found parents travelling to the furthest reaches of HRM, and beyond to play league games.

Thousands of ice hours

Time for other important ice sports such as ringette and figure skating encountered similar obstacles. The construction and completion of the Dome will provide thousands of hours of vital ice time to our local organizations while the main multi-ice surface facility is under construction.

Although those of us who have been involved in this effort over the many years can now take solace in the knowledge that we have the resources to complete the first phase, we cannot forget about the next phase, which will include soccer, football and basketball facilities, and much more. It will again require additional support from governments at all levels. Fundraising efforts for this $20-million plus project are scheduled to begin shortly and will require the support of our community.

I want to extend my thanks to Premier Rodney MacDonald and my Progressive Conservative cabinet colleagues for their steadfast support to date. We are building a better future for the residents of Bedford and HRM. My government and I see this as the best kind of investment to make.

It goes without saying that the volunteer RLDA board, especially Barry Mason and Steve Warburton, whose commitment to this project extends well beyond what most of us would deem to be reasonable, deserve a huge "thank you" for their efforts.

The board faces enormous financial obstacles as we move forward, but the challenge always motivates those who want to get the job done.

The highest mountains lay ahead as we tackle the second phase of The Rocky Lake Common.