The 4th Mount Pearl Sparks are one of many groups that will enjoy the city’s new community centre once completed. The City hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday at the Team Gushue Sports Complex, the future home of the facility. Posing with the City’s Golden Shovel are members of the Sparks group. In the back row, from left, are Hazel Doyle, Abby Janes, Olivia Burton, and Erica Thistle. In the front, from left, are Lilly Cake, Olivia Stamp, and Stella Stamp. Mark Squibb photo.
By Mark Squibb
It’s not much to look at now, but a barren plot of land off Smallwood Drive within the Team Gushue Sports Complex promises to be the home of the city’s new multi-million-dollar community centre.
The City hosted a ground breaking event Wednesday that was attended by roughly 50 people representing City staff, council, JMJ Holdings Ltd., the company responsible for the design and construction of the building, and various community groups, incuding the Mount Pearl Senior’s Independence Group, 4th Mount Pearl Sparks, Mazol Shriners, and Mount Pearl Soccer Association.
“Today, we turn not only a sod, but a page,” said Mayor Dave Aker.
The new centre is forecast to cost about $15.5 million, and is set to replace the aging Park Place building, which Mayor Aker allowed is on it’s last legs and not up to modern accessibility standards. It will span 24,500 square feet and boast amenities including a splash pad and ice rink, and multi-purpose space complete with a stage and retractable bleachers. The centre will be able to seat 500 people and accommodate approximately 1,000 standing.
The facility was announced in July 2021, and construction is expected to be completed by early 2026.
Wednesday’s announcement offered some more clues as to the new centre’s fit within the community and what residents should expect once the doors are open. For example, Aker explained the Reid Centre will be transitioned into a “purely recreational facility,” while the new community centre will be used for “cultural” events.
“This will be more of a cultural destination,” said the mayor. “It will certainly will not be a recreational one.”
Aker added the community centre will be run like a business, with an aim of generating revenue, and that existing staff and resources will be used “as much as possible,” in the building’s operations.
Herb Feaver, the chairman of the Mount Pearl Seniors’ Independence Group, one of the many groups which expect to make much use of the new facility, welcomed the latest development. Currently, his group meets at Park Place.
“Park Place has reached the end of its life span,” said Feaver. “We are going to get a much better facility.”
The group boasts over 500 members, who enjoy weekly guitar sessions, dart games, tea times, card games, craft times, fitness sessions, and more.
Mount Pearl residents who are 60-plus can join the club for $10.
