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After extensive debate, the City’s Recreation Facilities Committee (RFC) has taken a major step toward delivering an aquatic centre and double gymnasium for the people of Orillia.
Last night, the Committee shortlisted three potential sites for a new facility. They are:
- David H. Church School, 230 James St. E.
- McKinnell Square Park, 135 Dunedin St.
- A portion of the FLSmidth lands, 174 West St. S.
As a base programme, the new facility will include:
- An aquatic centre with a 25-metre pool, leisure pool and therapy pool
- A double gymnasium that can accommodate two International Basketball Association-sized courts (as a minimum), as well as additional support spaces.
And yesterday, the Committee also chose additional amenities for consideration. They are:
- Walking/running track
- Fitness Centre
- Pre-school/babysitting program room
- Shuffleboard courts/skateboard park
- Four-diamond baseball complex with support amenities
Open the attachment below for further information about the additional amenities under consideration.
“This Committee has never wavered from its commitment to deliver this project. And while I applaud the work of the Committee, we must not lose sight of our focus,” Fogarty said. “We need to continue moving forward, select a final site, work with the community and start building a facility which all Orillians truly deserve.”
The Committee, which comprises all of Council, began the site selection process with an examination of 15 sites. Over time, that list was reduced and evaluation using set criteria helped the Committee select the shortlisted locations.
The Committee is expected to make its final decision in November.
“This Committee has carried out extensive community consultation about the recreation needs of this community,” Fogarty said. “We’ve heard from our constituents and we’ve heard from the stakeholder groups. We need to get on with the project for the sake of our residents.”
Examples of the Committee’s research and how it engaged the public on this project over the past two years include:
- Spearheading a study that showed the recreation needs of Orillians have changed over the last decade and that an aquatic centre and double gymnasium are the required elements at this time;
- Initiating surveys and interviews with more than 30 related stakeholder groups which represent a broad cross-section of potential facility users;
- Holding two public meetings so that people could ask questions about and examine conceptual drawings of the facility;
- Creating four working groups that included community volunteers and stakeholder organizations that have recommended additional amenities to complement the aquatic centre and double gymnasium’
- Listening to the concerns of individual constituents about the final site and amenities required in the facility.
The City will issue more information regularly, so please check this website regularly.
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Media Contact information:
Joe Kim
Communications Manager
City of Orillia
705-325-8929
