Among the latest ideas to be tabled are a gourmet restaurant on site, valet parking services, and riding stables on the current site of the Lansdowne Avenue dog run.
"There are many possibilities," said one member of the planning committee, who asked not to be named. "We have also been discussing the idea of laying out a large croquet pitch on the roof."
Rumours that the budget would also allow for the expense of a string quartet to play by the poolside on weekends could not be confirmed by press time.
Part of the new plans also includes the official name of the new complex. Instead of the generic Westmount Arena, the planning committee has voted to take a page from Cote St. Luc's playbook and name the new arena-pool complex in honour of the current Sports & Recreation director. Much the way the CSL's Eleanor London Library was named after the head librarian at the time, Westmount city council has decided to name the new arena after Mike Deegan.
"Mike is a perfect choice," said architect Mildred Leblanc, a key member of the planning team who, though she asked not to be named above, we have decided to name after all. "Mike loves getting out on the ice himself, and I believe — but don't quote me on this — he is the first director of Westmount's sports program who can actually skate backwards."
Council is also said to be weighing the possibility of naming some aspect of the project after Gary Ikeman, the local resident who has been following the process very closely and has offered criticism along the way.
"We're not sure what we can name after Gary, but we're working on it," said Leblanc. "One thing is for sure — if we go ahead with our plans to build a pedestrian walkway over Ste. Catherine Street, Gary's name will be all over it!"
