Wallace Roswell is determined to keep the West Coast Training Centre open.
He’s been a member since the Stephenville facility opened in the late 1960s, becoming well-known for playing and coaching badminton.
When the provincial government announced it was cutting funding to the facility in its 2013 budget, meaning the building would close at the end of March, Mr. Roswell was spurred to take action.
After a public outcry, including a March 28 rally where Mr. Rowsell and other community members proclaimed their support, the government agreed to keep the facility open until the end of June to allow a local group or business to take it over.
But that hasn’t satisfied Mr. Rowsell.
He launched a petition to have the provincial government continue to operate the facility. He garnered 301 names on a written form, while 735 people signed an online appeal.
On April 21, he presented the petition to Joan Shea, MHA for St. George’s-Stephenville East, and Tony Cornect, MHA for Port au Port.
“I’d like to say it’s my first home, but my wife is standing next to me, so I have to say it’s my second home,” said Mr. Rowsell of the West Coast Training Centre.
He said he believes staying fit is a key to longevity and the facility has helped countless people over the years keep healthy.
Ms. Shea said the petition would be delivered to Terry French – minister of tourism, culture and recreation – whose department funded to the facility.
“It’s not just a building, it is one of the main key components of the community.” - Emily Alexander
“We’ll bring back the request even tough the decision has been made,” she said. “We’ve been in discussions with the town (of Stephenville) to take it over, or user groups to take it over.”
Other members of the West Coast Training Centre were on hand when Mr. Roswell met with the MHAs to present the petition, including Emily Alexander and Dave Murphy.
Ms. Alexander said the facility is extremely important to youth in the area.
“It’s not just a building, it is one of the main key components of the community,” she said. “We have phenomenal, world-class athletes, but I don’t think as many people from this area would have as many provincial, national and international titles if this facility was not here.”
Mr. Murphy said the West Coast Training Centre is truly a regional facility.
“I’m not sure if the government understands what this facility means to the entire west coast,” he said. “I would personally like the user groups to have a face-to-face meeting with the minister (of tourism, culture and recreation).”
Mr. Murphy said a three-month timeframe is not enough time for a local group to take over the facility.
“I don’t think due process has been followed here. Ninety days is definitely not enough. If that’s the way the current government operates, it’s not fair to us.”
