The Queens County Aquatic Society and Region of Queens Request Public Input

Oct. 6, 2016; Liverpool, NS: “We Need to Hear from YOU!” says the Queens Community Aquatic Society (QCAS) and the Region of Queens Municipality. Public input is needed from residents of Queens County to accurately gauge the community’s interest in and level of support for building a year round, indoor pool. Residents are being encouraged to complete a questionnaire to voice their opinion use of a community swimming pool.

“Keeping active improves health. There are many ways in which people can be active. One setting in which different forms of activity can occur is a swimming pool,” said Dr. Celeste Johnston, President of the QCAS. The QCAS’ mission is to bring an aquatic facility to Queens that will benefit all ages and abilities at minimal cost so as not to be a tax burden.

In considering the possibility of a swimming pool for Queens County, the Region of Queens Municipality and the QCAS have worked with Dr. Patrick McGrath, VP Research, Innovation and Knowledge Translation of the Nova Scotia Health Authority. Dr. McGrath developed a questionnaire to determine how the population is active and how important they think a pool would be, and his research lab at Dalhousie University will analyze the results. To date, over 1,000 people have responded to the online survey. The more people who take the survey, the more the results will reflect the opinion of the people of Queens.

“Community input on this important decision is essential. Whether residents want a pool or don’t want a pool, we need to hear from them. The survey will help in deciding if there is community support to maintain a swimming pool, and if so, what components the community wants in their pool,” said Christopher Clarke, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality. “This is an important decision, and one that requires engagement from residents to determine the need and potential use.”

The QCAS is a non profit organization formed in 2015 by residents with a vision and commitment to bringing a pool to Queens, which was in the original Queens Place Emera Centre design. The QCAS’s Board of directors consists of Dr. Celeste Johnston, President; Deborah Spartinelli, Vice President; Susan Higgins, Secretary; Bill Smyth, Treasurer; Dee Kozlowski, Fundraising Chair; Ian Clark; Dr. Al Doucet; Dave Oickle; Kevin Page; Bill Raine; and Kristopher Snarby. The Council of the Region of Queens Municipality and QCAS has had ongoing meetings to discuss the possibilities. The volunteers of QCAS are planning for a structure that will not burden taxpayers, as QCAS are planning to fundraise to cover the cost of construction of the facility, as well as an endowment fund to support pool operations for an extended period of time.

Please let your opinion be known. Residents can respond to the questionnaire online by going to the Region of Queens Home Page http://www.regionofqueens.com or https://survey.nshealth.ca/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=8l2L8555

Paper copies of the questionnaire are available at the Region of Queens Municipality’s Administration Offices at 249 White Point Road, Liverpool, NS, or from QCAS members Celeste Johnston or Susan Higgins, or by contacting any member of the QCAS Board.