North Vancouver Cruisers Aquatics have pledged to support a 50m pool at Harry Jerome. Read the letter of support.

By Shaun Karp NORTH SHORE NEWS

Whether you’re new to working out or just searching for a full-body alternative to traditional cardio routines, a pool program can provide cardiovascular and strength benefits.

The tried-and-true method of swimming lengths provides excellent aerobic exercise for all fitness levels.

In fact, swimming just three times per week for as little as 20 minutes will significantly improve cardiovascular endurance.

Read more: North Shore News

By Aalia Adam GLOBAL NEWS

“This is the biggest aquatic competition in the world,” said Pierre Cloutier, the CEO of the FINA organization committee.

“It’s the biggest FINA competition in the world, it actually is bigger than the Olympics in terms of number of participants”

Read more: Global News

BY JEREMY SHEPHERD, NORTH SHORE NEWS
North Vancouver recreation commission

… “It is verging on the nonsensical for two municipalities to build two potentially substandard pools,” Nixon said. “I think the recreation commission as it exists today under the joint agreement should be blown up and a whole new model should emerge.” …

Read more: http://www.nsnews.com/news/servant+masters/8144818/story.html

Infrastructure fund could apply to sewage plant, Harry Jerome rebuilds

Dear Editor:

District of North Vancouver councillors, can’t see out of their own burrows, correction, borough.

Coun. Roger Bassam at least got one thing right: “the need for one municipal government on the North Shore.”

The latest decision by the district not to fund a 50-metre pool jointly with the city clearly demonstrates this. Coun. Alan Nixon was the one lone voice of intelligence and common sense on council to question as nonsensical the funding of a 25-metre pool at the William Griffin Recreation Centre while the city funds a 25-metre pool at Harry Jerome two kilometres away.

You do not have to be an aquatic user residing on the North Shore to be angered by the district’s decision. All tax-paying residents should be livid. Should the district’s protection of its petty fiefdom triumph over simple common sense and economics? Or should we build a facility that would benefit the greater good of all residents on the North Shore irrespective of where they live, district or city, and cater to all user groups at a cheaper cost for us as taxpayers?

The reason and need for a 50-metre pool can be taken even further. Ron Andrews Recreation Centre on district land, although not slated for replacement, does have a limited lifespan, like all structures. With a 50-metre pool its replacement will not be necessary. Two for one or even three for one; lets do the math on that.

The only thing holding back a no-brainer solution is the location, basically being on the wrong side of the municipal street. The mindset of district council is reflected in comments like that of Coun. Lisa Muri: “I cannot recall us being asked for a contribution for a facility that’s not within our municipality.”

Coun. Bassam you hit the nail on the head: Yes, we do indeed need only one municipal government on the North Shore – and decisions like this will be easy.

Graham Hadfield North Vancouver

Appeared in the North Shore News (February 6, 2013)

Council unhappy with rebuild’s density and ‘compromise’ design

CITY of North Vancouver council is “hitting the pause button” on redevelopment of the Harry Jerome Recreation Centre.

Council voted Monday night to postpone discussions and a vote on the basic layout of the lands, recreation facilities and residential buildings on the site until January 2014. The city needs to do more outreach and planning before committing to a design and funding strategy, council agreed.

Read more:
http://www.nsnews.com/news/City+ices+Harry+Jerome+year/7925275/story.html#ixzz2KvAEK7tK

BILL CLEVERLEY AND JUDITH LAVOIE / TIMES COLONIST

Applause broke out at a packed Langford council meeting Monday, as councillors approved a three-way agreement between the city, YM-YWCA and Westhills Land Corp. for a new aquatic centre.

The centre, which will cost between $25 million and $30 million, will be built and paid for by Westhills on land it owns on Langford Parkway, near the $24-million City Centre Park sports complex. It’s set to open in the fall of 2015.

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/langford-strikes-deal-to-build-30-million-aquatic-centre-by-2015-1.66839