Komoka area residents will have a large interest in Middlesex Centre council tonight as they host a special public meeting to discuss the potential approval of a recommendation to declare the Komoka Community Centre as surplus property. If approved, the over 40-year-old facility would make way for a new development of a state-of-the-art health care and athletic training centre on the site, which also incorporates current recreational amenities like soccer and baseball fields, tennis courts, a playground and more. Strathroy Orthopedic Doctor Chris Chant and associates approached council in February proposing a facility which would contain an NHL size arena, 1-2 basketball/pickleball/volleyball courts, a physiotherapy clinic, a fitness gym, and sports medicine clinic. A recent fast moving public petition has gone around the community almost at 1200 signatures now to not allow the declaration to happen. Head of the petition Ron Nakamura says the community itself is growing and the need for a facility like the community center is a must.
This site is only about a 2 minute drive from the current Komoka Recreation Centre which houses 2 ice pads and when asked if this potential new development was a concern to council based on that proximity, she said no as they are in need of more ice time for area users. The Mayor says there will be many current amenities will be relocated but not being removed from Komoka Park.
She also said many current amenities won’t be going anywhere.
Nakamura says the public doesn’t mind new development, but it needs to be at another location.
Mayor DeViet says dealing with these types of issues is difficult.
There will be a public meeting tonight and information on that meeting can be found at the municipality’s website.