how to put dynamic info in an array?

[eluser]dadamssg[/eluser]
i've copied and pasted this section out of one controller that uses it and works and put it into this one and it doesn't work....the thing i copied and pasted doesn't even use a variable. instead of
'page'=> $page

its

'page'=> "mains/performance"

and it still doesnt work even though later works in another controller