ÈȵãºÚÁÏ

CAMBRIDGE, ONT. — The Ontario government has made some more funding announcements regarding community centre projects in areas across the province to the tune of roughly $35.8 million.  

The City of Cambridge is on the receiving end of $19.5 million which will go towards the construction of a new multi-purpose recreation complex.

The development will be 112,000-square-feet and will feature an aquatics centre with a 10-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, a warm water leisure and therapy pool, along with three FIBA-standard gyms, an indoor walking and running track, fitness areas, multi-purpose rooms, a concession area and a public library.

In addition, the province is investing:

• $1 million for the City of Cambridge to renovate and expand the 52-year-old Cambridge Preston Arena, including accessibility upgrades, adding a second ice pad to support tournament play and creating new community spaces for non-ice programming.
• $1 million for the Township of North Dumfries to rehabilitate the Ayr Community Centre to prolong the life of the facility and replace the roof, as well as install new eavestroughs and downspouts.

Days after this news, the government announced it is investing $12.2 million to support the construction of a new Russell Township Recreation Complex and the revitalization of three other community centres in the region.

The new facility will include a 25-metre six-lane indoor pool, a 10,000-square-foot community hall and three ice rinks that will accommodate hockey, figure skating, broomball and ringette among other sports, explains a release.

In addition, three other projects received funding:

• The City of Clarence-Rockland is receiving $360,700 to replace the HVAC system at the Clarence-Rockland Arena.
• The Town of Hawkesbury is receiving $866,500 to replace the rooftop at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex.
• The Nation Municipality is receiving $962,500 to support the rehabilitation of the St-Isidore Arena.

The projects are all a part of the $200 million , a provincewide initiative to revitalize local facilities, grow the economy and promote active, healthy living across Ontario, the release adds.