There was little question who had the numbers when an ice-rink supporter was drowned out with jeers after telling the 100 people in attendance he'd heard no one speak of the urgency of a new and bigger library.

 "Is there a lot of public outcry or desire for a library facility?" the man said during the question-and-answer segment of a meeting March 10 discussing the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre.

 Other speakers felt they were more apt to donate if the library stays part of the project.

 "If there's no library, my chequebook won't be opening," said one woman.

 An architect commissioned by lifestyle centre officials reiterated a presentation given in February in which he estimates a brand new pool, library and two-pad ice-rink complex will cost $42 million.

 The report can be seen at http://www.southshorenow.ca/pdfs on the internet.

 At the moment, Ottawa, the province, Bridgewater and the Municipality of Lunenburg are chipping in a combined total of just over $30 million. This means proponents have to decide whether to boost fundraising efforts or postpone some things until later when more money is available.

 There were no arguments for or against the pool. The talk was mostly about the library and a second ice surface.

 Hockey enthusiasts pleaded for two ice pads. One coach said it wouldn't be a luxury to have dual surfaces as there's a lack of available ice time now.

 There was so much support for the library that another rink lobbyist worried about how officials would perceive the meeting.

 "Is this meeting going to sway decisions? Because there's obviously more people here for the library than the rink."

 There were questions about costs.

 John Harley said people need to know what percentage of the lifestyle centre's operating expenses will be paid for by users and taxpayers.

 "Without that information we're just pie in the sky," he said. "That is the essence of what we need."

 Meanwhile Murray Crouse said he thinks that in economic times like these, taxpayers' money would be better spent elsewhere. He also questioned the lifestyle centre's price tag.

 "There hasn't been a building project done here in Lunenburg County that has come in under budget," he said. "I dare say that this one here will do the same thing."

 Lifestyle centre society chairman Paul Belliveau promised the complex will be cost-effective. "We don't have a bottomless pit of money."

 Civic politicians will make the final decision when lifestyle centre officials submit a recommendation to them within the next couple of months.

 Bridgewater Mayor Carroll Publicover described the complex as a rare opportunity for the region.

 "We won't have another chance like this and this is going to be something that is going to be an icon for this county and for the province."

 This was a similar statement mentioned earlier by Municipality of Lunenburg Deputy Mayor Martin Bell who said the lifestyle centre "is a must for this area."