Saint John must make a serious commitment to refurbishing and building new recreational facilities. For far too long, we allowed many of our existing facilities to fall into disrepair. At the same time that cities like Moncton and Fredericton were actively investing in new rinks, fields, and community spaces, Saint John was closing them. In a short span of time, we shut down two rinks and seven playing fields—losses we are still feeling today.
This issue is personal for me. Over several decades, I coached, organized, and fundraised for eight different boys’ and girls’ sports. I saw firsthand how recreation can shape confident, disciplined, and resilient young people. But in the last 20 years, I also watched our recreational system steadily decline: facilities aging, access shrinking, and opportunities disappearing. One of the reasons I ran for city council was to help change this reality—and we still have a lot of work ahead of us.
Recreation is not a luxury. It is essential. It teaches teamwork, commitment, and leadership. It improves mental and physical health, reduces crime, and alleviates pressures on our healthcare system. When children and youth have access to safe, welcoming places to play and grow, the benefits ripple outward to families, neighbourhoods, and the city as a whole.
Strong recreational infrastructure also plays a major role in attracting and retaining residents. Families choose where to live based on access to sports, parks, trails, arenas, and community centres. Young people are more likely to stay—or return—when their city invests in healthy, active lifestyles. Recreation is forward‑thinking city building, and it pays dividends far beyond its initial cost.
We have already fallen behind, and that means we must work harder to catch up. That includes modernizing existing facilities, replacing what was lost, and being strategic about where and how we build new ones. Our residents deserve to be proud of the places where they skate, play, train, and gather. Civic pride grows when people feel their city believes in them.
Recreation also attracts visitors. Tournaments, events, and festivals bring people into our community, supporting local businesses and showcasing Saint John as an active, welcoming city. Participation in sports and recreation builds discipline, enhances learning, and fosters lifelong healthy habits.
There is no question: recreation is a wise, long‑term investment. If we want Saint John to grow, thrive, and remain competitive, we must make recreation a priority again.
❤️ Love Saint John. Let’s keep working together to make it better.
