PRESS RELEASES

Civic Centre project goes online - Posted on 2007-12-07

By NEVILLE CRABBE
sports@stcroixcourier.ca

ST. STEPHEN – Amid criticism of operating behind closed doors, board members and staff of Charlotte County Civic Centre Inc. gathered in Mike Bourque's Grade 8 French immersion classroom on Wednesday to launch its newly designed website that details financing arrangements, architectural plans and answers to frequently asked questions about the proposed building.
“We're hoping that you will become ambassadors of the project and help move it forward," Heather Cunningham, chair of the civic centre communication committee, told the St. Stephen Middle School students.
As part of a pilot laptop program with School District 10, the class of 2012 were the first members of the public to view the site.
Should the civic centre stick to its five-year time line, with an anticipated completion date of 2012, those same students will be the first group of high school seniors to use the facility.
Evidenced by the unanimous show of hands when asked, "Who has heard of the civic centre?" the project has never suffered from a lack of exposure, but rather a series of misconceived notions, something that project chair Richard Fulton hopes the homepage will counter.
"This website is a chance for people to interact with the project, to check on its status and see upcoming events," said Fulton, addressing the class.
With their laptops open, students were given a tour of the website and invited to ask questions by campaign coordinator Melissa Evans. When the issue of location was raised Evans responded that although no site has yet been selected, the committee did not see that as a stumbling block. She stated that the group's top priority is to raise their $3.5 million portion of the $15 million project.
Asked how much of that money has been raised to date, Cunningham told the class that so far "a couple hundred thousand dollars" has come in from major donors, the current focus of the professional fundraising campaign managed by the hired firm Bolduc, Nolet, Primeau and Accociates.
Bourque said that he remembered growing up and playing minor hockey in the 1970s in Yarmouth, N.S., and hearing buzz then about a new multiplex arena for the town. Named the Mariner's Centre, Yarmouth's big project, a state-of-the-art, two-ice-surface facility, did not open until late 2001.
By actively supporting the Charlotte County civic centre, Bourque said that the students can enable the community's dream to become a reality much faster.
With the audience ready to dart for lunch, Evans imparted one final message on the younger generation:
"I have a personal challenge for you," said Evans, "I want everyone in this class to go home and show their parents how to get on this website."
To see for yourself, visit www.charlottecountyciviccentre.com.