The ground may be starting to freeze over, but that didn’t stop the city and several partners from breaking ground at the Omischl Sports Complex for the new Community and Recreational Centre on Thursday.
The $63 million project was approved by council in mid-November.
Mayor Peter Chirico says this is the first time the city has built something of this magnitude since Memorial Gardens in 1955.
“This will change the landscape for our kids, for our grandkids and certainly for generations to come,” says Chirico. “The sign says it all. A place for everyone and that’s what it will truly be, a community centre for everyone.” The recreation and community centre will include two ice pads, a community room, walking track and 14 dressing rooms for both indoor and outdoor activities.
The centre will also be a net-zero carbon facility.
It’s been two and a half years since MP Anthony Rota announced nearly $26 million from the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.
“It’s been a long struggle. There’s been a lot of adjustments, but when we have the community that worked together,” Rota says. “There were some disagreements. There were a lot more agreements. Finally, everything came together and here we are, breaking ground. I think we can all be very proud of it.”
Combined with $9.4 million from the Canada Community-Building Fund, Ottawa is providing more than half the cost of the new facility.
The city is also directing $1.5 million to the project from funds received from OLG for hosting Cascades Casino.
The taxpayer-funded share of the project is $24.8 million.
Substantial completion of the project is expected in August 2026.
