Marsh Lake Community Society Public Meeting on Building Potential

Dec 8, 2003

Minutes

7:00pm approximately 20 people present

Chaired by Donna Larsen

Guest: Tim Turner Davis

 

Intro: Welcome from the Marsh Lake Community Society. 

          Open process – invite to all meetings, and join the committee

 

Meeting Process:      

          Review Background Information

          Focus comments into 3 categories (Why, What and Concerns)

 

Background:

Survey

·        Survey was conducted in Nov 2002 – formal, thorough survey of 301 residents (40% of surveys were returned)

·        75% supported at least one use of a multi-use building, and 74% put the building as the top community priority.

·        85% approved non-recreational uses of the building

·        Top uses are listed on the board

·        Issue identified: where to build it – (41% McClintock, 54% Judas Creek)

 

Meeting with Lands, Sport Rec, LAC

·        Reviewed possible building sites.  JC had the most land and fewest issues (not on the highway).  YTG agreed to study ONE land site to determine feasibility.

·        Building committee was formed to plan site assessment

·        FSC Architects and Engineers (Tim Turner-Davis) was hired through a bid process

·        Part of that assessment was to host a public meeting

 

Site Assessment

·        Tim to give summary

o       Land is usable, were two sites laid out. (Group mostly supported the option next to the rink)  Best use of land is to use a sloped area to put tankage underground.

 

 

Why we want a building:

·        To meet people/socialize

·        For youth to meet

·        Exercise

·        Business meetings

·        Dances/parties

·        Classes

 

 

 

What we want (unless otherwise marked – high priority)

·        Adult workshop/classroom (47%)

·        Child workshop/classroom (42%)

·        Concession (39%)

·        Gym (37%)

·        Library (35%) – Low priority given

·        Workout room (33%)

·        Game room (33%) – Medium priority

·        Gym  - shared space with large banquet room (not overly large or small)

·        Office space for LAC, rec coordinator

·        Computer lab – Medium priority

·        Separate entrances

·        2 floors

·        Outside veranda

·        Wheelchair access

·        Emergency shelter

·        Revenue generator – very important

·        Live-in space for care-taker – low priority

·        Alarm

·        Slab heat/energy smart

·        CAT 6 [wired for connecting computers together]

·        Public office equipment

·        Daycare/pre-school or toddler room – medium priority

·        Commercial kitchen and concession area

·        Other funding sources (green energy, federal $)

·        Sprinklers

·        Rec Director

·        Phased expandability

·        Tied to ice rink or ice rink being visible from the building 2nd floor

·        Lockers/washrooms

·        Licensed lounge

·        Sub-dividable gym area

·        Dividers for class rooms

 

Add comment notes:

§      In order to save on costs where possible, people recommended that some rooms be combined to serve a multi-purpose function:

§      Combine the adult, children workshops, computer lab and meeting space all into one room, and make it a dividable room;

§      Possibly combining the weight room in between the two change rooms

 


 

Concerns

·        Under built – too small, not used

·        O&M costs

·        Staffing

·        Using taxpayer’s money – too much?

·        Limit total costs

·        Location in Judas Creek

·        Compare to other communities

·        Who will use what

·        Gym standards – don’t go too small to use

·        10 – 15 year planning

·        O&M cost research needed

·        Not being used

·        Run it as a business

·        Feasibility study needs to be done in order to ensure that we can operate the facility

·        The banquet room should be well done if we want to attract conferences and special functions; otherwise, it will not become a true revenue generator.

·        We should look at other facilities to get an idea of what we want:

o       The French Center in Whitehorse holds banquets and has a commercial kitchen

o       Carmacks facility;

o       Haines Jct. and others

 

 

Next Steps

·        Gather more input from the community to make sure this is a Community project – supported now and in the future.

·        Write letter to YTG supporting a building.

·        Get Tim’s report

·        Add email to Marsh Lake website for feedback

 

Meeting ended at 9:30pm