Council approves RFP for multi-use recreational facility

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tillsonburg council green lighted a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a multi-use recreational facility on town land.

Although such a facility was in the town’s recreation master plan in the future, consideration to building sooner is being given due a presentation from community groups and grant availability.

Making a presentation to council in December, Jesse Goossens, president of Basketball Tillsonburg, and Shane Curtis, past-president of the Kinsmen Club, shared their vision for a new facility. Curtis said the Kinsmen Club hadn’t yet formally jumped on board as they wanted more details, but were aware of the proposal. They suggested many community partnerships were available to assist with funding, and the timing was right due to the grant. Council directed staff to investigate further.

The results of that investigation came to council on March 10.

In her report, Director of Recreation, Culture and Parks Andrea Greenway said if the multi-use resource facility (MURF) was located on town land, the town must apply for the grant. She outlined possible locations, including lands around the community centre (which would require relocating ball diamonds), and Victoria Woods (behind Westfield Public School). Locations that were not favoured were the soccer park, town land for such a facility (wouldn’t be serviced to meet the grant deadline) and airport lands.

“Prior to a grant application there would need to be a business case, drawings, permits other supporting documents such as a financial analysis of estimated capital costs and future operating costs. If council wishes to apply for the grant for a MURF, a feasibility study is recommended in order to capture all of the grant requirements for the project.,” Greenway wrote in the report.

Cost of the study was estimated at $85,000, which could be funded through development charges and the facilities reserve.

The study also pegged the estimated cost at $22 million, far above the estimate Goossens and Curtis had from a construction company. With potential grant funding of $10 million and $3 million from the community, the town would be on the hook for $9.5 million.

Coun. Kelly Spencer was the only one to speak to the report, saying it would be a great addition to the town but she is aware of other capital needs such as the town hall, third ice pad and the Kinsmen bridge.

Council approved the funding for the feasibility study to allow the RFP to proceed.