Strathroy-Caradoc Council narrowly approved a $500,000 proposal from the Mt. Brydges Arena Building Committee (MBABC) this week, instructing preparatory site investigations for a new recreational complex on the site of the current Caradoc Community Centre, at 565 Lions Park Drive, in Mt. Brydges.
The recommended site, due to its prominent location with the community, was deemed ideal by the MBABC following a July committee meeting, and public Open House, which was held on June 20th.
The approved testing will include, but will not be limited to; geo-technical assessments, site surveys, soil evaluations, site servicing plans, and designated substance surveys for both the Caradoc Community Centre and the Tri-Township Arena. The $500,000 cost was initially allocated by Council in 2022, for consultation and design work.
Director of Community Services, Rob Lilbourne reported that the process could potentially take up to 6 months, and the timeline will depend on what the testing reveals. The date of a site survey and Geo Technical works, even if awarded this week, could take up to a month to complete. Lilbourne explains that conceptual designs of the facility could be available around October 2023.
On June 22nd, myFM reported a story following the Arena Open House that the Mt. Brydges Arena Building Committee (MBABC), which is made up of Council members, was leaning towards the option of replacing the current Community Centre with a new multi-purpose facility. However, this week Council was only being asked to approve the recommendation from the MBABC to direct staff to continue with the site development testing at the committee’s preferred location of 565 Lions Park Drive. There was still confusion and debate in Council Chambers on what was actually being asked of them. Deputy Mayor Mike McGuire.
Lilbourne commented on that and confirmed that the MBABC identified their preferred solution would be to replace the current Community Centre, build a new facility on that spot – including taking over the small soccer field, which is what was presented at the Open House in June. Lilbourne added this is what the MBABC has directed staff to work towards, and that location is where this testing will be conducted.
Fully understanding this week’s recommendation appeared to be at the forefront of discussions. Even though the preferred, but as yet unapproved location is the site of the current Community Centre, the Deputy Mayor seemed unaware of this decision, which he questioned. MBABC Chairman Steve Pelkman responded.
The Tri-Township Arena will also go through the same testing process to ensure that Council is fully informed when they come to make their decision on the final location of the new facility. MBABC Chairman Pelkman reminded council that the original motion by Council before the 2022 election was to simply replace the current Tri-Township arena. Pelkman added there likely won’t be any financial decisions made on a new facility until the end of this year at the earliest. The timeframe of any decision will be based on the completion of all testing, and final reports to the Committee.
The recommendation before Council this week was for the MBABC’s report to be received by Council, and to direct Municipal staff to proceed with the testing on the two sites; the Caradoc Community Centre and the Tri-Township Arena. Councillor Greg Willsie added that the testing would need to be done to see if the land in question can even house a brand-new facility, to which Councillor Sandi Hipple agreed.
But confusion continued as to what was actually being asked of Council, and for which site location. Councillor Derbyshire asked for clarification and more debate continued with Councillor Pelkman, Mayor Grantham and Deputy Mayor McGuire.
Following discussion and debate, the motion was approved on a narrow margin of 5-3, with Councillor Brennan being absent. The Deputy Mayor, and Councillors Pammer and Derbyshire voted against the motion.
The exact motion is as follows.
RECOMMENDATION: THAT: Council receives for information Report CS-2023-18 titled Mt. Brydges Arena Building Committee Update 4 and further;
THAT: Council approves the Mt. Brydges Arena Committee recommendation of directing staff to continue on with the site development for the new complex located at565 Lions Park Drive, including but not limited to Geo-Technical, Site Survey, Soils, Site Servicing, and Designated Substance Surveys for both Caradoc Community Centre (CCC) and Tri-Township Arena (TTA).
written by: myFM News