Watford park improvements completed, more anticipated

Following a major addition and expansion inside, upgrades were also recently made outside Watford’s community centre.

Tennis, pickleball, basketball and hockey courts were resurfaced and repainted in Centennial Park, next to the town’s East Lambton Community Complex, last month, said parks and recreation manager Ryan Chamney.

Adult fitness equipment also was installed, and the projects collectively were mostly covered by a $108,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, Chamney said.

Court Surface Specialists and Active Playground Equipment respectively completed the projects, he said, noting the new amenities have been well used since opening.

“We’re seeing people out there every day,” Chamney said.

The projects were identified in the township’s 2021 Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Culture master plan.

Meanwhile, more improvements are expected at the public space, which also offers ball diamonds, pavilions, a splash pad, playground equipment and a running track.

“We’re actually about to undertake some public consultation” to create a master plan for Centennial Park’s outdoor spaces, Chamney said.

“So we’re going to be doing public consultation to find out what’s next for improvements and what the community wants to see added . . . or improved in Centennial Park.”

The park upgrades follow the completion of $10.7 million in renovations and upgrades to the East Lambton Community Complex last october.

“Building off the completion of that project just sort of led us into improvement our outdoor space that’s attached to the facility,” Chamney said.

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