Photo Marie Cicchini
	Dominique Barsalou tabled 514 additional signatures for the petition on behalf of the NDG citizens committee, as well as a portfolio complete with photos, press clippings, and related correspondence

The Culture, Sports, Recreation and Social Development (DCSLDS) master plan was tabled at the Oct.4 council meeting, two months past the initial scheduled date.

More than 1,600 people have contributed to enhancing it.

Council mandated the DCSLDS and other borough departments concerned to abide by the commitments that have been made so far. Other consultations will be held and the borough council may make improvements.

The document presents a picture of the current situation and of future needs.

The borough’s sports and cultural facilities and the services they provide have to be adjusted to take the borough’s growth and major projects into consideration while respecting the taxpayers’ ability to pay.

Michael Applebaum said the work involved producing “Reflecting on Culture, Sports and Recreation” was exhaustive and required many hours and public meetings since 2007. The document shows where the borough wants to go in terms of culture, sports, social development and recreation.

Since the borough was created, well over $78 million has been invested in community centres, libraries, chalets, sports facilities, the Maison de la culture, parks, pools, and renovations to various facilities.

A lot of work remains so the DCSLDS was asked to develop a master plan in order to obtain funding and put forward the borough’s vision of what is needed over the next 5 to15 years.

He warned that the document is not final because situations develop and needs change over time. For example, the Namur Jean-Talon and Hippodrome development areas will add 30,000 new residents over the next 20 years. The government could make new funding programs available.

Eastern NDG sports and community center

Dominique Barsalou, spokesperson for the NDG citizens committee, tabled documents as part of the efforts made by the citizens committee to preserve the Eastern NDG sports and community centre, as well as 514 additional signatures for the initial petition.

She asked that the borough continue to make more widespread efforts to keep the public informed on its intentions to keep facilities and essential services running in the neighbourhood.

She said that citizens need to be kept informed of any future steps taken to preserve or renovate the building.

[Marie Cicchini]