AMHERST – The community effort to built a new multi-sport, multi-use all weather turf facility has taken another step forward.
DMA Planning and Management Services of Wolfville has been hired to conduct a feasibility study for the Cumberland Sportsplex Development Society.
“This is great news. It’s the second part of a three-part process we hope will lead to the development of the complex,” society steering committee chairman Andrew Wallis said Monday. “The feasibility study will look at things like site selection and what it’s going to take to construct such a facility.”
The consultants are expected in Amherst later this week to meet with the society’s steering committee.
A draft report is expected by December while a final report will be presented to the Town of Amherst and Municipality of Cumberland in January.
There’s no timeline for construction.
“That’s to be determined,” Wallis said. “The feasibility study will help us come up with a plan for funding. It’s good to position ourselves so that when funding does become available we’ll be shovel ready.”
Wallis said the society has had tremendous support from both the town and the county as well as the provincial departments of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism and Health and Wellness.
The Cumberland Regional Development Authority has served as the facilitator.
Last year, the Saint Mary’s Business Development Centre completed a needs assessment that recommended an outdoor facility with a synthetic surface. As part of the needs assessment, numerous potential partners and users were interviewed.
The multi-use facility would be similar to others built in Canada and would include soccer and football fields as well as a walking track around the outside.
The complex is expected to include lights, washrooms, accessibility and parking.
dcole@amherstdaily.com
Couple of things....first you don't count your youth out. Amherst has plenty of young people involved in many sports as have many other communities, example Moncton. Something that invests in the quality of life is not a waste of time and Amherst and area will benefit from this type of sports development. Second River Herbert and their school are getting the short end of the stick the pressure should be keep on until the government lives up to their promise to finish this school.