Work is now underway on a $6.2-million recreational facility at Marden Park.
On Nov. 20 Guelph-Eramosa Township hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for phase one of the park master plan, which will feature an outdoor football field with lighting and a 56,000 square foot steel structure that will house an indoor Sports field with artificial turf, an indoor track, and a multi-functional board room.
“This is a phenomenal project for us,” Mayor Chris White said.
“It’s a game changer … it’s a community builder and it’s an architectural gem.”
White stressed most of the credit for the facility should go to Parks and Recreation Director Robin Milne, who came up with the vision for park.
Milne gave a brief history of the park, thanked the federal and provincial government representatives for funding and also recognized the contractors that made the facility possible, including Stempski Kelly Associates (park master plan), R.J. Burnside and Associates (site, water management,water treatment and septic plans), BJC Architects (building design) and KMA Contracting Inc. (building construction).
Milne also announced the township hopes to have the building completed by June, with a grand opening possibly next fall.
Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong said the federal government is delighted to help fund one third of the facility’s cost and he commended township staff for being able to proceed so quickly with the designs and applications.
“[This project will] benefit the families and children in this community and in the broader Wellington area,” said Chong.
MPP Ted Arnott called the project a great example of a community partnership and also lauded the township for its ability to demonstrate the need for the facility.
“Certainly this is something that will be used for generations of children and those of us that aren’t children as well, to allow us to keep more active,” Arnott said.
“It’s going to be a wonderful addition to the recreational facilities in this area.”
* * *
Earlier this year the township received word its Building Canada Fund application – for two thirds of the total cost of up to $6,199,551 – was successful.
The township will cover its portion of about $2.07-million through a debenture, which will be paid off at a rate of about $155,000 annually.
Phase two of the Marden Park master plan includes two additional full-size Sports fields.
And phase three will focus on the development of the more “passive” area on the western portion of the property, including a trail system.
