ELORA – Centre Wellington council was recently faced with a difficult decision: what is needed more, a double rink at the Jefferson Elora Community Centre or a new multi-use recreation facility on land near the Fergus sportsplex?
It’s not that either will be built anytime soon, managing director of community services Pat Newson told council on Sept. 15.
The question at hand is which project gets on the 10-year capital forecast?
Council heard from Curt McQueen, who delegated in favour of an indoor turf facility on behalf of the Highland Rugby Club and Fergus-Elora and District Soccer.
McQueen said 1,300 youth sign up for indoor and outdoor soccer and use local gyms over the winter, which are not ideal.
Similarly, 635 players signed up for rugby in 2024 and use local gyms or leave the area to play.
An indoor facility, “would allow us to grow,” McQueen said.
Centre Wellington Celtics Basketball League president Andy Abro and coach Logan LeBlance also lobbied for an indoor space with a gymnasium.
The club also uses local school gyms, which they often have to share with school and other sports. On PA days the facilities are not available and with a growing club, the need for a dedicated space is also growing.
“A new court would allow us to host tournaments at home,” they said, adding the Celtics plan to add wheelchair basketball with assistance from Patrick Anderson.
And the Team Addy 3×3 charity tournament had to move to the University of Guelph this year because the high school gym in Fergus could not accommodate all the teams.
An indoor facility could also have a walking track, change rooms and storage for equipment.
Community services director Pat Newson said there is also a pressing need for twinning the rink at the Jefferson Elora Community Centre, which he said would cost about $34.7 million.
A multi-use recreation facility by the Fergus sportsplex would cost about $55 million.
“There’s strong demand for an indoor walking track too, which could be at either location,” Newson said.
The Fergus facility could also be used for pickleball, volleyball, badminton, sports camps and special events. Indoor turf would be used by soccer, lacrosse, rugby, modified cricket, baseball, ultimate frisbee, football, training and event space.
Based on rates from surrounding municipalities, Newson said the facility should generate revenue of $859,425 per year with operating costs at $823,125. So, there’s a small surplus that could be generated.
Councillor Kim Jefferson noted twinning the rink in Elora would eliminate the ball diamond and perhaps the skateboard park as well, possibly causing more facility shortages.
Councillor Bronwynne Wilton said because there isn’t a multi-use recreation facility in the township, that should be the priority.
“We all agree we need everything,” said Mayor Shawn Watters. “This report was eye-opening in terms of what we need in the community.”
In the end, council voted to add the multi-use recreation facility to the 10-year capital plan, to post a feasibility study and business plan on Connect CW, and to circulate studies to township committees.
