A new multi-use facility in Martensville is bringing recreation at sporting activities together under one roof.
The Martensville Athletic Pavilion marked its official opening on Thursday and Mayor Kent Muench is excited by what the 50,000-square-foot building offers the city.
“We wanted a space that was really multi-functional, for lots of users, and I think this facility really offers that,” Muench said.
The pavilion has a gym with room for three full-size basketball courts along with an indoor soccer pitch with movable artificial turf. There's also a fitness area and full-size running track.
It's attached to Martensville High School and was built through a partnership between the city and the provincial Ministry of Education.
“Obviously there was going to be new gym spaces and there was no point in building seperate facilities,” said Nancy Heppner, the MLA for Martensville. “This way the community gets to use it, and in partnership with the school division the students get to use it too. It's a better use of space and money.”
While students will clearly make good use of the space they aren't the only ones excited about the facility’s grand opening. For senior citizens, the amenities the building offers fills a gap in the community.
“The fact that it’s out of the ice and snow its fantastic, we don’t have to worry about slipping,” said Terri Hetterly.
The athletic pavilion is only one part of a major renovation project happening at the high school. The rest of the project remains under construction and once it's done the city will also have a brand new performing arts centre.
