A St. John’s City Councillor says summer programs were a big factor in moving back the opening date of the new Mews Centre.

The facility was scheduled to open in September 2023 but earlier this year, the city found more issues with the heating and cooling system. It’s now slated to open in the fall.

Area Councillor Greg Noseworthy says that without knowing when the work was going to be finished, the city put summer programs at the old Mews Centre.

He says the city will be doing training at the new facility in the months to come.

“We really didn’t want to disrupt any programs for folks. People make significant plans when they’re doing these, whether it’s for their kids at summer camps or otherwise, he said.

“It would have a significant impact on everybody if we had to transition staff and programs and participants midway through programs. So we made that decision and I think that’s the best for everybody.”