Regional Recreation Facility Feasibility Study – Phase 1

The Municipality of the County of Kings, Town of Wolfville and Town of Kentville are pleased to announce a two-phase assessment of a prospective multi-use community recreation complex to serve residents throughout Kings County, members of the communities of Glooscap First Nation and Annapolis Valley First Nation, businesses, and visitors to the Valley.

Assessment of the feasibility of a new recreation facility serving all communities in the County requires a clear process. The six-month timeframe will involve several distinct areas of investigation and discussion with stakeholders and the public:

Understanding Best Practice – how and why facilities are built in comparable places elsewhere in Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada and where relevant other parts of Canada?

1. What lessons emerge from experiences elsewhere and what innovations in design, programming, environmental footprint and operations are possible?
2. Progressive engagement over the course of the work with stakeholders
3. Formal review by the public once a defined plan for a new facility emerges
4. Full reporting of the risks and benefits of the project – as well as its impact on communities.

The study is overseen by a steering committee comprised of municipal elected representatives, senior municipal professionals, and the consulting team.

There is no single vision of what is feasible for the communities. Everyone’s opinion counts and the results of an in-depth analysis will point toward a solution that is a “made in Kings County” vision for a new community recreation hub. This exciting process requires your involvement, and we encourage you to read the materials posted here, offer input as often as you like and keep checking back for updates and more information on the study as it unfolds.

UPDATE - MARCH 7, 2023

Phase 1 of a Regional Recreation Facility Feasibility Study commissioned by the Municipality of the County of Kings, Town of Kentville and Town of Wolfville is complete, and the partnering municipalities are continuing to explore the possibility of collaboratively building a multi-use recreation facility designed to address existing and forecasted service gaps in the Kings Region.

The Kings County Regional Recreational Centre Feasibility Study report was received by Councils representing the partnering municipalities in private sessions in late 2022 due to the contractual nature of matters relating to site selection. A public version of the report was recently presented to all three Councils in open session during a Joint Council meeting on March 7.

Watch the meeting here.