New YMCA building gets first go-ahead
Posted Mar 9, 2011 05:57:06 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The YMCA’s proposal to build a large new residential-commercial facility at the corner of Sackville and South Park has cleared its first hurdle at city hall.
The building, as designed, is twice as high as the rules allow so the developers have asked regional council to amend the rules.
The facility will include residential apartments on the upper levels and a new YMCA on the ground floor.
Coun. Jerry Blumenthal (Halifax-North End) recommended going forward with the process, saying the YMCA is a long-time service organization in Halifax.
“As a matter of fact, before Dalplex and before all the rinks, universities and swimming pools and things, the YMCA did a great service to people,” he said.
The Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia has said it will oppose the new development because the height would block the view of the Public Gardens from Citadel Hill.
Coun. Dawn Sloane (Halifax-Downtown) said public input must be a key part of the process from now on.
“If the dialogue is not happening, then we don’t know what’s going on or how people feel,” she said. “People that are talking to me, on both sides of the fence, it’s split down the middle at this point in time. So we need to talk and have dialogue.”
Her colleagues agreed, voting unanimously to send the project to the next step, and have staff follow the public participation program.
