County seeks $8.8M federal grant for Brant Sports Complex expansion

A rendering shows the proposed exterior of the Brant Sports Complex expansion, including a new entrance, outdoor plaza, landscaping and additional parking. 

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

The County of Brant is moving ahead with a bid for $8.8 million in federal infrastructure funding to help close the gap on the proposed Brant Sports Complex expansion and reduce the amount that would need to be supported through the municipal tax levy.

County council received an update on the project June 23 and supported a recommendation to delegate authority to the chief administrative officer to award construction should the county’s grant applications be successful.

The county submitted an expression of interest May 12 to the federal Build Communities Strong Fund, seeking the full $8.8-million shortfall identified in the project’s updated Class A cost estimate. On June 12, staff were notified the Brant Sports Complex expansion had been selected for further consideration and invited to submit a priority application by July 15.

The Build Communities Strong Fund is intended to support public infrastructure projects that are ready to move forward. The county has identified the sports complex project as shovel-ready, with construction potentially beginning as early as fall 2026 if funding is secured.

The expansion is proposed for the Brant Sports Complex at 944 Powerline Rd. in Paris. The existing facility, which opened in 2011, includes a twin-pad arena, banquet hall and meeting rooms.

The project would add approximately 41,630 square feet of recreation space, including a triple gymnasium with lines for basketball, volleyball and pickleball, spectator seating, an indoor walking track, three multi-purpose rooms, four new changerooms, a new entrance and reception area, staff offices, additional parking and accessible parking. The plan also includes an outdoor plaza, covered canopy, landscaping, solar-ready infrastructure and backup power for emergency management.

County staff said the expansion is needed to respond to continued population growth and increasing demand for recreation programming. Schools in Paris are operating at capacity, limiting their availability for community use, while programs such as pickleball have reached capacity. The Paris Seniors 99 Club has also capped memberships because of space limitations, according to the county’s application.

The updated project cost is now estimated at $30.94 million, including a five per cent design contingency and non-rebateable HST. The county previously had $22.15 million approved through its long-term financial plan and 2026 capital budget, leaving an $8.8-million shortfall.

Councillor Lukas Oakley asked whether the requested delegated authority would still apply if the federal government did not award the full $8.8 million.

Phil Mete, the county’s general manager of community services, said it would, but the project would have to proceed within the county’s long-term financial plan. He said the CAO would have authority to make a decision and report back to council.

Councillor John Bell asked staff to outline the current funding model and how the increased project cost could affect taxpayers.

Mete said the original model included $5 million in grant funding, $1.5 million in community fundraising, $1.5 million from reserves, $7.7 million from development charge reserves, $10.9 million in debt repaid through development charges and nearly $2 million repaid through the tax levy, for a total of $23.8 million.

Under the revised approach, if the $8.8-million grant is awarded, the county would increase its community fundraising target to $2 million, maintain $1.5 million from reserves and $7.7 million from development charge reserves, and use $10 million in debt repaid through development charges. The tax levy-supported portion would be reduced to approximately $928,000.

“I’m encouraged we only have to provide $1 million for the tax levy for this project,” Bell said.

The county also plans to apply to the Ontario Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Funding Program once applications open, while continuing community fundraising efforts. The project has received its minor variance approval, detailed design is complete and building permit and site plan reviews are nearing completion. Staff are also preparing prequalification and tender documents.

Council supported the recommendations, with staff expected to report back on any grant awards and the updated financial impact.