Halifax to develop new master plan for Halifax Common
New life to be given to aging pool, Pavilion structure, says parks and recreation department manager
The Halifax Regional Municipality has issued a tender for a master plan to be developed to spruce up the Halifax Common.
An immediate priority of the master plan will be to redevelop the outdoor swimming and wading pools, playground and the recreation building known as the Pavilion. The tender document states there is an "urgent need" to replace those facilities.
"Many of those have reached their lifespan at this particular point in time," said Richard Harvey, the manager of policy and planning for the municipality's parks and recreation department.
Need for a new plan
Harvey said the former City of Halifax created a Halifax Common plan in 1994, and since then there have been a lot of changes.
According to the tender document, both the pool and wading pool are 60 years old and "are in very poor condition."
"We'd be looking at doing quite a bit of public engagement over the next few months once we've got a consultant on board," said Harvey.
"We would see doing some focused energy and effort in and around some of those aquatic facilities and playground."
The maximum before-tax budget for this master plan contract is $220,000. The submission deadline for proposals is Sept. 26, with an anticipated execution date of Nov. 1.
Harvey said he wants the public consultation on the master plan completed by spring and a report to regional council by fall 2018.
With files from Pam Berman