News release

Site Preparation Officially Begins for Pictou County Wellness Centre

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)
Health Promotion and Protection (March 2006 - Jan. 2011)

Site preparation has officially begun for the Pictou County Wellness Centre.

Representatives from all levels of government were on hand today, Aug. 8, for the sod-turning ceremony at the intersection of MacGregor and Westville roads in New Glasgow. Justice Minister Ross Landry, Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay and Ron Baillie, Warden of the Municipality of Pictou County.

"The province is pleased to invest in the health and well-being of the residents of Pictou County," said Mr. Landry. "We know that there is a positive relationship between sport and recreation infrastructure and physical activity levels. By investing in sport and recreation infrastructure, we are following through on our commitment to make life better for families in every region."

"Today is an important milestone for the residents of Pictou County," said Mr. MacKay. "This exciting project reaffirms government's commitment of investing in the health and well-being of all Pictou County residents. The wellness centre will be a place that supports an active and healthy lifestyle; a place to exchange business ideas; a place for future stars to practice and play sports; and finally, a place for the residents to gather and achieve goals as a community."

The province and the federal government have both committed $11 million to the project. The municipalities within Pictou County have committed $9 million.

"This has been an excellent opportunity for all six municipalities to work together on behalf of our residents," said Mr. Baillie. "We are very excited about breaking ground to create a facility that will embody the community spirit that thrives in Pictou County."

The 150,000 square-foot wellness centre will be a leading facility that supports healthy and active lifestyles, while providing a direct economic impact through infrastructure.

Provincial funding for the Pictou County Wellness Centre comes from the Department of Health Promotion and Protection, which announced a $10-million commitment in March 2009, and Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, which has committed an additional $1-million to the project.

Described as a world-class, multi-purpose gathering place, the Pictou County wellness centre will support ice and aquatic sports, community fitness and wellness programs, youth programming, local events, business meetings and conferences. Specific features include:

  • two NHL regulation-size ice surfaces
  • an aquatics centre, including a six-lane, 25-metre pool and a warm-water pool for therapeutic programs
  • a gymnasium with rock-climbing wall
  • an indoor walking track
  • a fitness centre and studios
  • conference rooms
  • a licensed child-care facility

The Pictou County YMCA will relocate to the new wellness centre.

Pictou County YMCA executive director David McIntyre said the YMCA will now be able to provide a variety of services and programs to more residents in its new, central location, including fully-licensed child-care and child-minding programs, and expanded programs in fitness and aquatics.

The wellness centre, located on an 11-acre unit of land donated by Empire Company Ltd., will be owned and managed by the Pictou County Wellness Centre Building Authority. The fully accessible, energy-efficient design is a product of DSRA Envision Architects, a Halifax-based firm with more than six decades of experience in designing major facilities across Nova Scotia. The centre is scheduled to open in late 2012.