Chatsworth Municipal Office (Photo by Nathan Shubert)
Chatsworth is exploring the idea of potentially putting turf in the Desboro Community Centre, but for now the township is applying for $48,000 in provincial funding for other upgrades.
Council approved sending a grant request to the Ontario Trillium Foundation during a meeting on Feb. 28, which CAO Patty Sinnamon says will be for updating the heating systems at the Desboro Community Centre and the Williamsford Community Centre (curling club).
But there’s also discussion around a potentially larger project at Desboro which could include putting a turf surface in.
“The township was looking at either an application for the turf or doing some of the other upgrades to the community centre based on our Building Condition Assessment. Based on conversation with council and staff, we felt that the best bang for our buck would be to submit one application for the two facilities,” says Sinnamon.
She adds they are also currently investigating the costs associated with putting in turf.
In a council report, to install modular turf, it could cost $200,000, increasing to total capital project costs to over $1.1 million.
“It’s not just the capital costs, it’s the operating costs as well,” says Sinnamon.
She says it will depend on when staff return to council with a business plan on either removable or permanent turf before any decisions are made.
Sinnamon adds while the Williamsford facility is in very good condition and only in need of small capital repairs, Desboro was found to need a number of upgrades done like flooring, which would cost about $1.6 million.
There is currently no timeline for when work on the facilities will be done as it depends on the budget.
“Council continues to contribute to these facilities in terms of capital upgrades. The plan is certainly there, but we want to make sure that whatever we do with Desboro, it has value long term with regards to community use and the best use of that facility,” says Sinnamon.