Developing our future in Dartmouth

To the editor;
Over the past few years HRM approved a regional plan which among many other things called for the development of new cultural clusters in our municipality.
Dartmouth has a history of volunteerism, commitment to the protection of our culture and heritage, theatre, art galleries and museums and we have the distinct advantage of a public that cares and supports our various cultural treasures. We also have a new provincial government which, through policy statements, appears to have a keen understanding of the needs of a community to protect its culture and heritage.
It should not go unnoticed therefore that on Nov. 10 Dartmouth Centre Coun. Gloria McCluskey, along with support from Portland-East Woodlawn Coun. Bill Karsten and the Harbour East Community Council, successfully lobbied regional council to have the former Dartmouth city hall identified as the site of a new heritage museum for this municipality.
This is a major step forward in developing additional cultural and arts offerings on the Dartmouth waterfront, and in the downtown core.
With the establishment of a permanent museum, the continuation of the Craig Gallery, the ongoing live entertainment provided by Alderney Landing and the opening of a new firefighters museum on King Street, the residents of HRM can look forward to creation of an exciting and imaginative new cultural cluster on the Dartmouth waterfront.
This new vision, however, also extends into our downtown with the opening the new Harbour View Market where opportunities abound for crafts, artists and farmers to display their products in the largest farm and craft market in this region. As has been noted previously in the press, the Discovery Center has indicated an interest in relocating to the Dartmouth waterfront over the next few years, notwithstanding, we are not the only location they are reviewing. This substantial addition to the development of a new cultural cluster may add 150,000 new visitors yearly to our region, and provide additional economic stimulus.
With a revitalized waterfront featuring new and exciting cultural and tourism amenities the general public in Dartmouth, and in the greater municipality, have every reason to be optimistic about our future growth and the ability of Dartmouth to again become a destination location for all to enjoy.
As a residential growth region, Dartmouth and its surrounding communities is one of the fastest growing areas in Nova Scotia. As a community we need to embrace positive change and be prepared to provide the facilities and services to meet the needs of this new population, and the expectations of our current residents. We must continue to protect our heritage and respect the efforts of the many volunteers who have sustained our cultural and arts community; while at the same time opening the doors to new opportunities that will further enhance our reputation as a great community to bring up a family in a safe and progressive environment.
Thanks are in order from our community for the vision demonstrated by regional council to designate the former city hall as a museum for the municipality. This vision is a positive indication of their ongoing support for Dartmouth as the location of the next cultural cluster in accordance with the regional plan, well done.
Tim Olive, Dartmouth