The Town of Tillsonburg is looking at possibly adding a new multi-use recreational facility in the community.
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Councilors directed staff to investigate the option following a presentation by Jessie Goossens and Shane Curtis at this week’s council meeting.
The pair, speaking on behalf of a community group, told council of the need for sporting space within the growing town.
The Thames Valley District School Board recently announced school enrollment is projected to increase by 33 per cent locally by 2032.
With that in mind, the local group says the time is right to build.
“We’re not getting less kids in our community, we’re getting more and we’re going to need more space,” said Goossens, a local accountant and president of Basketball Tillsonburg.
“Council needs to consider, what are the most in-demand things our community needs?”
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The group sees Woodstock’s Cowan Park Sportsplex as the template. They estimate a facility that includes an indoor artificial turf field, gymnasium, pickleball courts and a walking track would cost about $14 million.
They urged the town to investigate applying for Ontario’s Community Sport Recreation Infrastructure Fund Grant, which provides half of a project’s cost up to $12 million. With taxpayers fronting half of the remaining cost, the rest would be covered by donations.
Curtis said several local businesses have offered in-kind services and materials in advance of the project.
The Tillsonburg Kinsmen Club – the second largest of its kind in Canada and one of the youngest – has endorsed the initial stages of the facility as well.
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“We have a lot of firepower behind us, as you’ve all seen over the years, and we want to put it to good use,” said Curtis, a member of the club and past president.
“We haven’t had a large project in a number of years… so we’ve been chomping at the bit to grab onto something.”
Staff will investigate possible sites for the project.
The community representatives brought forth a few options, the most preferred being near the Tillsonburg Community Center and Memorial Park.
“That would, we feel … provide the most operational savings as far as having all the indoor sports facilities in the same area and utilizing parking at different times of the year,” said Curtis.
Along with the gymnasium and indoor field, the project calls for storage areas and moveable or permanent bleachers.
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After speaking with Cowan Park staff, the local group estimates operational costs for the building would be about $460,000 per year, but reiterated the chance to have half the facility covered by government funding is a rare opportunity.
“It’s probably a once in a lifetime for our community to get a facility like this,” said Goossens.
Council was on board.
“We need a walking track so bad in this town, especially for our senior community,” said Councilor Kelly Spencer.
“That’s one thing they often say is ‘where can we go for a walk?
“I think this is a really great idea.”
In the end, council decided to forgo a feasibility study. CAO Kyle Pratt suggested his staff could dig into the grant application process, review its asset management plan, and further explore proposed sites to save on outside consulting fees.
“The recreation master plan states that we need a multi-use recreational facility,” noted Councilor Chris Parker. “We have an opportunity to work with a community group that’s willing to work with us to reduce the costs and create something that is really needed for the community.
“If it can come to fruition, I think it would be great for the community.”
Councilor Bob Parsons agreed.
“It’s common knowledge we need these things in a growing community,” he added.
Staff will report back to council with its findings at a future meeting.
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