WESTMOUNT - Some Westmount residents are at odds with the city's mayor over plans to expand the local arena and renovate the outdoor pool.
They worry the $37-million expansion – which would see two new rinks built underground and a new outdoor pool in the 50-year-old facility – would only benefit up-and-coming hockey players and will bring too much traffic to Westmount Park.
"It will completely change the character and nature of this park," said Mavis Young, who opposes the arena.
Young said the expansion won't benefit the majority of the population, and the city should instead spend the money, most of which is being provided by Ottawa and Quebec, to build an aquatic centre.
"How a bout something for the 95 per cent of the rest of us people who want to have activities for the whole family, and for their aging parents?" she said.
Westmount Mayor Peter Trent said the plan will go through, and the naysayers are just a small and vocal group.
Trent said he surveyed almost 30 per cent of the population about the facility.
"Eighty-three per cent (said) yes" to it, he said, adding that 27 per cent of people under 20 already use the arena.
"There will be a lot more ice time for everybody, especially for girls hockey, which we have a lot of… as well as figure skating free skating, this type of thing," he said.
The mayor also said Westmount Park will be expanded.
"We'll be adding an acre of green space by demolishing the old arena and building our arena underground. The only thing above ground will be a little two-storey entrance and for the teen centre," he said.
