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.

April 2025 Regional Recreation Complex project status update:

The Municipality of the County of Kings, Town of Wolfville and Town of Kentville are exploring the possibility of collaboratively building a new, multi-use recreation complex in Kings County.

Discussions about potential locations, partnerships, funding arrangements, and design elements are ongoing. Staff from the partnering municipal units will ask their respective Councils for direction on how to proceed on the following key decision points:

• Land (Location)
• Project Build (Cost, design)
• Financing (External and municipal funding partnerships)
• Tender for Build (Construction contract)

Council has the authority to decide to advance or stop the Regional Recreation Complex project at any decision point. The planning process started three years ago, and early estimates predicted it would take up to eight years in total to have a facility built. The timelines will depend on decisions determining how, or if, the project proceeds.

The final design largely depends on costs and direction from Councils. The proposed design for Phase 1 is based on a report that assessed the best ways to meet the recreational needs of the region. The Regional Recreation Centre Feasibility Study report submitted in 2022 recommends an indoor recreation facility with an aquatics facility, multi-use gymnasium, walking track, and community spaces in the first phase of development.

Progress updates will be shared on this website when there is more information to share about the key decision points listed above and/or any potential opportunities for more public engagement.

You can also review the new Economic Impact Modelling Report.

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.