The construction of the new East Lambton Community Complex in Watford is complete and a public Open House is happening Wednesday from 5-7pm. The new facility features a new gymnasium, banquet hall, meeting room, fireside lounge, and YMCA fitness centre, while upgrades to the existing arena include new accessible washrooms, dressing rooms, a flex space and work stations. Mayor Jackie Rombouts is very pleased with how the project has turned out.
In 2020 Warwick Township Council voted in favour of an $11.5M renewal of the Watford Community Arena and a new multi-purpose facility to replace the existing Watford Centennial Hall. Construction began in the spring of 2021. The project was designed with an $11.5 million budget, and now the total project including all arena renovations, the building of the YMCA and gymnasium addition and the workshop on the north side of the arena will come in under budget at $10.7 million. The successful $2 million fundraising campaign will further offset costs and the net project cost will be $8.7 million before any grants are applied.
The East Lambton YMCA Open House will also be happening that evening and community members are invited to visit the centre to learn about the Y’s exciting programming and membership opportunities.
At the same time residents can enjoy refreshments while taking a tour of the full facility. This is $800,000 less than the budget before any fundraising or grants are allocated to the project. Due to the generous spirit of those invested in the Township of Warwick and our future, the successful fundraising campaign will further offset the total project costs and the net project cost will be $8.7 million before any grants are applied.
written by: C. Soares