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| Newmarket's Magna opus |
| City's $39-million recreation centre – one of the largest in Ontario – opens today |
| Author: |
Theresa Boyle |
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Staff Reporter |
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Toronto Star |
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| Published: |
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 |
Painters and landscapers were yesterday putting the finishing touches on Newmarket's $39 million, state-of-the-art recreation facility – the largest capital works project in the town's history.
The 215,000-square-foot Magna Centre, which officially opens today, includes one Olympic-size rink, three NHL-size rinks, a 25-metre competition pool, a 21-metre learning pool, a gymnasium, indoor track and three multi-purpose rooms.
"The `wow' factor is something else," exclaimed Brenda Farrell, Newmarket's director of community services.
For the next five days, residents are invited to try out the facilities free.
"Try-it" programs include fitness and dance classes, hockey, karate, swimming and skating.
Tonight's grand opening starts at 7 p.m. at the Magna Centre, 800 Mulock Dr. Suzie McNeil, of Rock Star: INXS fame, and singer/songwriter Justin Hines, a native of Newmarket, are scheduled to perform at the event.
"It's truly a place where the community can gather for their spirit," Farrell said.
Mayor Tony Van Bynen said the facility was necessary to accommodate the town's growing population and to replace other aging recreational facilities.
"It was a key opportunity for us to replace some existing infrastructure that was well beyond its best years and at the same time it gave us the opportunity to make sure we had the facilities we needed for our community well into the years 2015 and beyond," he said.
Farrell and Van Bynen said the facility won't be a drain on taxpayers because of corporate sponsorships.
Magna paid $5 million for naming rights to the centre.
Other sponsors are paying of $300,000 annually to have parts of the facility named after them. They include the Dominion pool, Tim Hortons gymnasium and Midas rink.
"It's probably one of the most unique marketing plans that a community services department has done. We sold everything out," Farrell said.
"The sponsorships are done very tactfully. It's not overbearing. It's something that's very unique."
Van Bynen explained that the town took out a debenture for $26 million, which is being financed through sponsorships.
In 2003, the city purchased the property on which the centre sits – a former farm – for $13 million, and sold part of it for a profit.
"The taxes for the residents of Newmarket will not increase one penny as a result of that, at this point," Van Bynen said.
Article courtesy of the Toronto Star, http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/250397 |
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