H. G. R. Mews Community Centre replacement

The public are invited to one of two engagement sessions to provide feedback on a new proposed site location for the replacement of the H.G.R. Mews Community Centre at Mundy Pond Park.

The city is proposing an alternate location to the gravel parking lot across from the current Mews Centre because of building needs, and the opportunity to position the facility in an existing recreation hub at Mundy Pond Park.

Please drop-in at your convenience to one of the two scheduled sessions for an opportunity to talk with staff about the potential location for the Centre, and to share your opinions and concerns.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

· 10 a.m. to noon

· 6 to 8 p.m.

H.G.R. Mews Community Centre

40 Mundy Pond Road

Please note that the focus of the drop-in sessions is to obtain feedback about the new proposed site only. Public engagement about programming and amenities took place in 2018, and the ‘What We Heard’ document is available here.

Comments can also be provide on this page here.

The City of St. John’s wants to create a city where people feel connected, have a sense of belonging and are actively engaged in community life. This project is identified in the Our City, Our Future 2019 Action Plan under the goal to and deliver programs, service and public spaces that build safe, healthy and vibrant communities.

A drill rig will be operating at Mundy Pond Park, near Blackler Avenue, Blackmarsh Road and Melville Place, starting on Wednesday, June 5 and continuing for approximately five days. Work will take place weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The purpose of the work is to collect information for installing new lights for the softball field, new playground equipment, and use of the existing soccer field as a potential location for the H.G.R. Mews Centre replacement.

Noise from the drilling process is anticipated; however, weather and atmospheric conditions such as cloud cover may intensify the sound.

Access to Mundy Pond Park will not be impeded by this work. Residents are asked to respect site safety measures put in place by the contractor. Areas where active drilling is occurring will be cordoned off with pylons and appropriate safety signage.

The parking lot across the street from the Mews Centre, which was proposed for the replacement, is not in a floodplain. However, concerns about loss of green space and other issues were raised through the engagement process last year and, while this site is not excluded, the City is exploring other potential locations in the area. Further engagement and communications will be happening soon to discuss this with the neighbourhood.

Beginning Tuesday, September 11, 2018, and continuing for approximately 5 days, a drill rig will be operating on the gravel parking lot located on the corner of Pearce Avenue and Mundy Pond Road. This is to facilitate a geotechnical investigation of the property in relation to the site being a proposed location for a new facility which will replace the existing Mews Community Centre.

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The City of St. John’s is planning to replace the H.G.R Mews Community Centre. During late May and early June, the city engaged with residents, neighbours, user groups and stakeholders to seek input on facility features, accessibility, potential partnerships, programming and impact on the neighbourhood.

Feedback noted that current programs and services should continue in an updated, welcoming, and accessible space. Additionally, significant feedback was provided on how a new space could build and improve on existing features. The ‘What we Heard’ report is available here

During engagement, current and potential users were asked a series of questions online and in person. The process included:

• Meetings with immediate neighbours
• An online survey and in-person sessions with recreation groups and partners
• project page on EngageStJohn's.ca with over 1,700 visits and 123 active engagements
• A kiosk at the H.G.R Mews community centre with drop in engagement opportunities
• A focus group with newcomers
• Meetings with the City’s Inclusion and Seniors Advisory Committees

Budget for replacement is $24 million. The newly built facility will be of a similar size and scope as the existing centre. The timeline for construction will be available after the design for the new facility is complete.

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In our planning to replace the Mews Community Centre we're having drop-in open houses for residents to ensure that public concerns are heard within the scope of the project.

City residents can have their say in person from Monday, May 28 to Friday, June 1 at the H.G.R Mews Centre (see the Drop-in schedule on the right for times), or here on TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

The timeline for construction will be available after the public consultation and design is complete.