A new full scale multi-use recreation centre could be on the horizon for Timmins. At last night’s special meeting of Council, staff were directed to proceed with cost analysis, design, and site selection to determine funding sources for a new facility.
In June, Council received an update to the City’s Recreation Master Plan, a 181-page document that recommended the investment in a new indoor facility as pivotal to enhance recreation programs and services. At last night’s Council meeting, the recommendation was further supported by a discussion around the City’s plans for culture and tourism; more specifically, the need for appropriate space for groups, performances, and larger events.
“Now is the time to consider this investment,” says Mayor Michelle Boileau. “From concept to construction and the final grand opening, it’s a multi-year process. We can keep deliberating, or we can start planning for a facility that will revolutionize what the municipality can offer for events and athletics.”
Next steps will be to prepare a submission for senior levels of government to determine potential funding. This will include choosing a location for the new facility, with space enough for two ice surfaces, a municipal Class A indoor aquatic centre, event space, and the potential for additional building components like meeting space, walking track, or gymnasium, subject to design, cost, and operational feasibility.
“This has the potential of not only being a community hub, but a regional hub and a best-in-class centre for recreation, culture, and tourism,” adds Boileau.
For more information, see the Recreation, Culture, and Tourism Master Plan Update.
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