On your mark: Halifax readies for new sports centre

Halifax is getting a new $40.5-million sports centre, including an indoor track and two swimming pools.

The details of the Mainland Common recreation centre were announced Wednesday.

Having the facility will help the city attract competitive sporting events and train top-level athletes, Mayor Peter Kelly said.

"This certainly puts a big dent into our requirements for this region and for Nova Scotia," he said.

The centre in Clayton Park is expected to be ready by 2010 and become a main venue for the 2011 Canada Winter Games.

It will have a 200-metre indoor track, two 25-metre pools and a gymnasium. There will be also be a community area for classes and meetings.

The federal and provincial governments are contributing $12 million each, while the Halifax Regional Municipality is covering the other $16.5 million.

Kelly said most of the money has been set aside, though the municipality will raise $2 million through a fundraising campaign.

Some residents living near the Mainland Common had been lobbying for a 50-metre pool.

Instead, the municipal and provincial governments will spend $3 million on the Centennial Pool in downtown Halifax. The work will include upgrades to the ventilation system and changing rooms.