The renovations and addition to the Watford Arena are set to start today to create a community space for everyone to enjoy. The new centre will be called the East Lambton Community Complex. The new space will not only be upgrading the hockey arena to make it more accessible to everyone, but it will also be adding a new recreation space which could offer Volleyball, Basketball, and other recreational sports, as well it will have a fireside lounge and an outdoor kitchen for the entire community to enjoy. As for when the centre will be ready for public use, that might happen in stages according to Warwick Township Mayor Jackie Rombouts.
One goal of the new centre is to be a place to bring the community together. Mayor Rombouts says that they hope this can be a place for people to use for events like weddings and stag and doe parties alongside the usual recreation events. The complex has also partnered up with the YMCA to offer a gym facility.
“Part of the addition will include a workout space for YMCA with weights, stationary bikes and treadmills. The community will be able to purchase memberships and will be able to work out at our location, as well as all the other YMCA locations around Ontario. The YMCA will also be developing new programming in the large, multipurpose space like pickleball, volleyball, yoga etc. It will give us the opportunity to offer a lot more programming than we are currently able to offer,” Mayor Rombouts said.
A groundbreaking celebration is being held off until the lockdown restrictions are lifted, but one will be hosted once groups are allowed to gather.