The Sechelt Indian Band is building a recreation centre of its own behind St. Mary's Hospital, which is planned to be open to the public by 2008.The centre would have a large gymnasium with seating for events, a youth/seniors lounge, a meeting room, exercise room, a space for martial arts, aerobics and dance, a day-care facility, nursery, kindergarten, kitchen, storage and change rooms."We have some funding now and we have a three-year mandate to build. We'll do it in phases, and we'll open in 2008," said Chief Stan Dixon.The total estimated cost for the recreation centre is $7 million. The Band has already received a commitment of $1.7 million from the federal government to cover the education portion of the centre, Dixon said."We've been working on this for about two years," said Dixon, who notes there is also room to build a pool at the site behind the hospital."Maybe Sechelt will find Block 7 is not adequate and there could be an option to build there. We have the land for a swimming pool but we're not going to give it away for free. The District of Sechelt could lease the land possibly. That could happen," said Dixon.He said the new recreation centre the Band is building would be open to everyone in the community."The Band has always been about neighbourhood partnerships and integration. I'd like to thank our forefathers for the idea to integrate, to move into the modern way of living and creating a good, healthy society," said Dixon.He said the new recreation complex will serve the Coast well and notes the Band is working on a number of other projects that include an eco-tourism project to hook up the band's marina with a larger extended walkway to Snickett Park, a cultural retreat in Narrows Inlet and a skylift to move pedestrians around town."The skylift is my idea. I really want one," said Dixon.Dixon notes his council plans to "seize opportunities as they come.""Other municipalities form a committee first and do it. We are our committee," Dixon added.
