County dashboard tracks progress on major projects across Brant

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

The County of Brant has provided its latest snapshot of major projects underway across the municipality, highlighting progress on everything from parks and road reconstruction to fire facilities, wastewater infrastructure and long-term growth planning.

The September Major Project Dashboard was presented to the Policy Development Committee on Sept. 1. Developed by the County’s Corporate Initiatives team, the dashboard is updated quarterly and provides council with high-level information on major strategic projects, including their status, upcoming milestones and budget outlook. 

For Paris residents, the dashboard contains updates on several projects that are either under construction or expected to move forward over the coming months.

Among them is the Arlington Subdivision Community Park and Splashpad at 7 Becker St. Construction on the 5.2-acre park began last November and grading issues have since been resolved and fencing installed. Playground, paving and concrete work is expected to be completed by late fall, while the ball diamond is scheduled to be seeded this month. The overall park is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2027 and remains anticipated to be on budget. 

Meanwhile, the proposed Brant Sports Complex expansion continues through the design process. The project would add approximately 53,000 square feet to the existing facility, including additional dressing rooms, gymnasium space and multi-purpose areas.

A request for pre-qualification of contractors was issued in August, with submissions under review by staff and consultants. The County has also applied for federal funding through the Build Communities Strong Fund and is pursuing provincial funding. The project is currently identified as anticipated over budget, with an expected completion date in 2028. 

Work is also moving forward on Deer Ridge Park in the Nith subdivision. The first phase is expected to go to tender this year, with construction anticipated to be completed by the second quarter of 2027, weather permitting. 

Several major infrastructure projects in Paris are also progressing.

The Downtown Dig remains on track for an estimated October completion for this year's construction. The current phase includes Grand River Street North south of Charlotte Street to Mechanic Street, the Grand River Street North and William Street intersection, and William Street from the bridge to just west of Grand River Street North. Additional work on Mechanic Street, Broadway Street West and William Street is planned between 2028 and 2030. The project is anticipated to remain on budget. 

Elsewhere, reconstruction of Main and Dumfries streets is approximately 99 per cent complete. Minor deficiency corrections remain underway, with completion expected in the fourth quarter of this year. 

Construction also continues on the Dundas Street East, Paris Road and Oak Park Road servicing and reconstruction project. The next stage includes work on the north side of Dundas Street East, storm sewer installation, curbs, sidewalks and paving, along with completion of the Paris Road-Dundas Street intersection and a sanitary sewer tunnel bore beneath the CN bridge. Surface asphalt, sidewalks and other finishing work are expected to continue into 2027. 

Farther north, the next phase of Grand River Street North reconstruction, between the Watts Pond Road area and north of Silver Street, includes four roundabouts, widening to four lanes, a multi-use path and new sidewalk. The construction tender was awarded earlier this year, with construction scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026. 

Planning is also getting underway for the Paris East Secondary Plan, which will address future development in the area, including traffic, servicing, stormwater, road networks, urban design and land uses. Dillon Consulting Ltd. has been awarded the contract, with the project beginning this month and expected to continue through 2027. 

Another longer-term initiative is an update to the Paris Master Servicing Plan, which will examine infrastructure requirements to accommodate anticipated growth through 2051. A shortlist of consultants has been completed, with a request for proposals identified as the next step. 

The County is also advancing its Paris Downtown Flood Mitigation Strategy. Detailed design for flood protection works on the east side of the Nith River has reached approximately 90 per cent, while environmental assessment work continues for a proposed flood wall along the west side of the Grand River behind downtown buildings. Public consultation has been placed on hold to avoid confusion with the ongoing Downtown Dig, with an open house planned for 2027. 

Construction of the new North Paris fire station is also underway following the award of the construction contract to Lanca Construction in September 2025. The facility is intended to improve emergency response times and reduce call volume at the existing Paris station, while allowing for future full-time firefighters and EMS accommodations. Completion is currently expected by the end of April 2027, with the project anticipated to remain on budget. 

Not every project is proceeding without challenges. The dashboard lists both the Brant Sports Complex expansion and the Noise By-law Review as anticipated to be over budget. 

The latter included a noise study conducted at Paris Drinks Fest in August, with results expected to help inform a revised bylaw scheduled to come before committee later this year. 

The dashboard also identifies several projects completed since its previous May update, including the Parks Master Plan, Community Forestry Strategy and a progress update and next-steps report for the Downtown Paris Master Plan. 

County staff said the dashboard is intended to provide a snapshot rather than exhaustive details on each project. It is available through the council portal and the County’s Projects, Plans and Reports webpage.