Starting at the end of March, the city is shutting down five arenas, two outdoor pools and two community centres, most of them for the summer, so they can be upgraded using the economic stimulus dollars from the federal and provincial governments.

“It’s short-term pain, but the outcome will be outstanding,” said Mountain councillor Scott Duvall.

Most of the recreation facilities will directly impact the central and west mountain areas. For instance, the Chedoke Twin Pad Arena will be closed from April 4 to Sept. 1 for $1.1 million in repairs; while Inch Park Arena will be closed from April 4 to Sept. 10 to complete $1.1 million in improvements. The Inch Park Pool will be closed down for a year from March 31 to March 2011 and be completely rebuilt at a cost of $1.3 million in repairs.

Duvall, who represents the ward that Inch Park is located, said the city is in the process of informing people and groups who use the recreation facilities that will be under construction, where to go to take part in their programs. He said participants of Challenger Baseball, for instance, will have to use port-a-potties on the field instead of going to Inch Park Arena’s washrooms, while people who use Inch Park pool will have to go some place else during hot, humid days.

“There will be a little bit of pain,” he said. “Pools in other areas will be overcrowded. We are going to be working with organizations.”

Duvall said residents will have to be patient, because what will emerge from all this recreation construction will be state-of-the-art facilities. He describes the designs for the new Inch Park Arena and pool as “unbelievable.” There will be a beachfront entrance, a classic outdoor pool, a new splash pad, that will be all accessible to everyone, and new washrooms.

At Turner Park Sports Field, a new washroom facility will be built, along with improved lighting, and a sun shelter, at a cost of about $1.1 million.

Also closing down for the summer will be Rosedale Arena starting April 15 to Sept. 15, for $1.1 million upgrades, and Sir. Wilfrid Laurier Recreation Centre from March 20 to Sept 2010, to install air conditioning, renovate the change rooms and improve the building’s interior walls, at a cost of $1.5 million.

Sir Allan MacNab Recreation Centre will be closed starting March 31 until March 2011 to upgrade the pool, install air conditioning, renovate the change rooms, and upgrade the electrical and mechanical systems at a cost of $3 million.

“There will be long-term gain with these recreational upgrades,” said Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead.

He acknowledged there is a “lot of concern” within the community about where to go for their recreation programs. He suggested the city could operate a shuttle service for residents to take them to another facility for their recreation activities.

Carlisle Arena will also be closed during the summer starting March 31, and re-open Sept. 1, after upgrading the mechanical and electrical systems, and replacing the pipes, arena floor and improving the accessibility at a cost of $1.1 million.

Duvall confirmed the major $21 million upgrade to the Westmount Recreation Centre is a little behind schedule, but progress continues.

Whitehead said because of the tight time constraints for the city to spend the federal economic stimulus dollars, contracts had to be signed quickly to get the projects moving starting this spring. Municipalities had to get the projects nearly completed before the March 31, 2011 deadline.

“The dollars had to be spent,” said Whitehead.