Straight Talk & Myth Busting Regarding Recreation Facilities for Bedford

Q & A with Councillor Tim Outhit

What have you done since being elected Councillor in May to support new facilities in Bedford?

I have shown strong, supportive, and objective leadership over the past 4 months as your representative to ensure progress on new facilities in Bedford, and to ensure I was reflecting your direct wishes. Here are some examples:

• I presented a petition to Regional Council that was signed by 946 Bedford residents, which called on HRM to build a rink in Bedford.
• I participated in many of the weekly Board meetings held by the Rocky Lake Development Association (RLDA).
• I worked with Mayor Kelly and senior HRM staff to ensure that any building permit applications for the temporary rink received from the RLDA are dealt with quickly and fairly. Progress has been made.
• I voted for $5 million to be assigned in principle, as part of the HRM Facilities Master Plan, for a new multi-surface rink facility in Bedford.
• I voted in favour of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new facility in Bedford.
• I strongly supported the change the wording of the RFP so that Hammonds Plains is not the “preferred location” for the HRM facility. This was done to give the RLDA the opportunity to partner with a contractor and propose their Rocky Lake site for a quad facility. I recommended this option as a good way to bring the projects together.
• I voted against deferring a decision on the rink RFP until after the summer break. As Councillor for Bedford, and having just submitted a petition from 946 Bedford residents calling on HRM to build a rink in Bedford ASAP, my voting this way clearly supported the wishes of my constituents. We have waited long enough.
• I arranged for the RLDA board to address a HRM Regional Council meeting to provide an update on the Rocky Lake project and to see how the 2 projects could be combined.
• I was the only Councillor to rise on a “point of order” when HRM executives tried to prevent the RLDA board members from addressing a Council meeting due to a conflict with the RFP process.
• I spent the next 1.5 hours after my “point of order” during Council helping to broker a compromise by which the RLDA board could address Council. This objective was successful and Barry Mason and Dan Sangster subsequently addressed Council.

Do you support the proposed temporary rink to be named after Gary Martin and located in Rocky Lake?

Yes. I have worked to support this project since being elected your representative in May. Significant progress has been made due to the tremendous effort of the RLDA board, MLA Goucher, architect Andy Lynch, and HRM staff.

Do you support the Tri-Plex and multi-purpose facility being proposed by the RLDA?

Yes. This is a wonderful opportunity to provide Bedford residents, and residents of surrounding districts, with a much needed multi-purpose facility for hockey, skating, ringette, soccer, basketball, and meeting facilities.

Do you support the proposed HRM 4 ice facility that is likely to be based on the Hammonds Plains Rd. in Bedford?

Yes. I support all proposed and potentially viable projects that will bring much needed and long overdue facilities to Bedford.

Why do you support the proposed HRM facility?

I recently presented a petition to Regional Council. It called on HRM to build a rink in Bedford. Also, many Bedford residents have asked me to support this proposal. They do not care where in Bedford the rink is built, as long as it is built and built now.

Do you support 2 facilities in Bedford?

No. Two, potentially competing projects, makes no sense. As Councillor for Bedford my goal is to bring the 2 projects together into one successful solution.

Which proposed facility project do you prefer?

I prefer the Rocky Lake proposed facility because it will support more activities and possibly cost slightly less. I also like the fact that it is partially led by a community board. However, I will not put my eggs all in one basket. I need to reflect the wishes of my constituents, and their petition. We cannot risk losing the $5 million that Council voted in principle to come to Bedford. Many of my Council colleagues would be only too happy to see this revenue and facility come to their district!

Are the other Councillors on HRM Regional Council opposed to new facilities being built in Bedford?

No. HRM Councillors know that is now time to implement the recommendations of the Burke Oliver Report and build a facility in Bedford.

Do the two Councillors from Sackville that comprise the Northwest Community Council with you oppose a new facility in Bedford?

No. However, they have made it clear for the last several years that they do not like the Rocky Lake location. They feel it is too close to the financially challenged existing Sackville facility. We do not agree on this point, but their opposition will not derail progress in Bedford.