Chatsworth Township has chosen its site to build a new multi-use community hub on.
Based on a recommendation from the township's site selection committee and thanks to two generous land donations, Chatsworth council has approved the site of the former Chatsworth Arena as the location where a new multi-use community hub will be constructed.
The new facility would include a regulation size ice surface, a walking track above the rink, a community hall with seating for 350 people, a proposed day care and health clinic, a senior's activity room and community outreach services.
Township CAO Patty Sinnamon says the estimated cost of the project is $15-million.
Mayor Scott Mackey says the township received land donations from two families in the Chatsworth area that had properties surrounding the former Chatsworth Arena site. He says the township had about 6.5 acres of property at the old arena site, and the land donations gives Chatsworth 17 acres available to accommodate the new multi-use facility.
The donors were Leanna and Pliny Loucks, as well as Ted Dier, Kelly McComb and Charles Dier.
“We thought we needed 15 acres for the new community hub,” Mackey says. “This property now adjoins the rail trail. To be able to provide access to the hiking trail is great and we'll have parking available for people who want to access the trail. There will be room for lots of greenspace, the community hub and possibly a baseball diamond if that's how we move forward.”
Mackey notes it's also possible Chatsworth's municipal office and council chambers could be re-located to the new community hub, although no formal decisions have been made on that front yet.
Chatsworth currently only has two ice rinks, the Keady and Desboro arenas, after the Chatsworth Arena closed permanently in 2017 due to deteriorating conditions. Mayor Scott Mackey notes the township's two arenas only feature smaller ice surfaces and the rink at the new hub would become the only regulation size pad in Chatsworth.
Mackey says there is tremendous need for this type of facility in Chatsworth. He says having a community hub where people of all ages can go and there are amenities available for them to utilize is important.
“I think it's a way to help our community grow,” he says.
The township has submitted an application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) funding stream for new community, culture and recreation centres.
If the project does receive approval under the ICIP program for grant funding from both the provincial and federal governments, Mackey says Chatsworth would be responsible for 27 per cent of costs — or about $4-million of the estimated price tag.
“The Township of Chatsworth certainly can't do this on our own,” Mackey says. “We are looking to our provincial and federal partners to help out.”
Conceptual drawings of the proposed community hub are already complete. Sinnamon expects it will take about eight months to learn whether or not the grant application is successful.
“If funding comes, within a year of getting it we hope to start construction,” the township's CAO explains.
Community fundraising for the project has already commenced. Sinnamon notes the township's total amount raised to date between fundraising efforts and a $65,000 allocation council approved in the 2019 budget is around $140,000.
A capital campaign to start a major push towards the $4-million will begin sometime in the new year.
Mackey says any remaining dollars needed to pay the township's portion of the new facility would be funded through a 30-year debenture.
Projects approved for funding under the ICIP new recreation facilities grant stream must be completed by March 31, 2027.
Mackey notes if the township was unsuccessful in receiving grant approval in this intake, there would still be hope the project could be accepted in another phase of the joint federal/provincial funding program.
“My understanding is there would be a second intake coming,” Mackey explains. “If we were turned down this time we would certainly be applying in the second round.”
“But we've all got our fingers crossed.”
