Herald photo by Ian Martens Troy Smith with Group2 Architecture Engineering helps lead a presentation during a public open house session on a proposed leisure centre Tuesday evening at Nicholas Sheran Community School.

Dave Mabell
LETHBRIDGE HERALD
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Add water, and stir. That's the starting point for today's leisure centres, according to an Alberta design group that's put its signature on many.
Craig Webber - in Lethbridge today to hear what residents would like to see in a proposed centre here - says a waterpark seems to be the essential feature. Webber, part of an engineering and architectural group that's helping plan the centre says beyond that, each community has its own preferences.
"We've created a vision of what the facility could be," but it's time for Lethbridge residents to share their views.
Webber, representing Group2 Architecture of Red Deer, will join city officials at an open house this evening, 7 to 9 p.m. at City Hall. Tuesday, they shared their ideas during a public session at Nicholas Sheran School.
Last fall, he says, the design team began meeting with Lethbridge groups involved in various sports. Youth and seniors' groups were also consulted.
"Now we want the broader public's view."
The centre, planned for a site close to the city's new westside high schools near Whoop-Up Drive, will begin with a 10-sheet curling rink and two side-by-side hockey arenas with NHL-sized ice. A $10-million federal grant, announced last week, signalled a go-ahead for plans on hold since last summer.
A leisure pool, with waterslides and other features, is expected to be the third component. Webber says some Alberta leisure centres also include twin gymnasiums - one with a hard floor for sports like basketball and volleyball, the other with a softer surface for tennis and other sports played on grass during warmer times of the year.
A fitness centre is another common component, he adds. That allows mom or dad to get some exercise while a child is at hockey practice.
What about a running track, or exercise facilities geared to the city's baby boomers and seniors?
"We want to clarify what the desired amenities are," he explains.
At the same time, Webber says, planners must recognize the community resources available at the University of Lethbridge and other venues across the city.
"We need to take advantage of the assets that already exist."
Near the proposed site, he notes, those assets include a large sports field complex with football and soccer pitches. In many cities, Webber adds, there's a trend toward incorporating outdoor facilities into the leisure centre complex.
Ideas on just how many facilities - and what they'd cost - will be outlined later this spring, Webber says. During their next public presentations here, he expects to offer a proposal for leisure centre features, with a price tag on each.
"We'll also have information on operating costs."
While the city is expected to include construction costs of the centre in its next capital improvement plan, it will have to add salaries utilities and maintenance costs to its annual operations budget. At the same time, Webber points out, city officials will have to decide on user fees for the new facilities - and how much they should be subsidized by taxpayers.
"How much would be affordable for people to pay?"
With curling and hockey facilities already approved, Webber describes the adjoining leisure centre as "Phase 2" of an ongoing project. Its design should allow for more components to be added as resources and priorities change.
"The centre will be here for 50 or 60 years," he says. "What will the needs of the community be in 20 or 30 years?"