MAPLETON – The future of the Mount Forest Community Centre is up in the air, and Wellington North council and staff are reviewing public feedback to determine what’s next.
Until late last year, the facility at 320 King St. E. was leased by Mount Forest Victory Church.
Since the lease expired in December, the township has replaced structural beams, door parts, locks, lighting, the security system, fire suppression systems, phone, wifi and signage.
Township staff have been consulting with the public about the building since April, and staff presented council a consultation report on Sept. 22.
“This facility has long served as a vital hub for local community,” the report states.
The consultation included two 11-hour open houses in the spring, during which people could take guided tours, ask questions and share feedback.
A survey was available from April 23 to May 23, and 240 responses were submitted.
Many recommended the township continue to manage the community centre and expand programming there.
Others suggested the township sell the facility, lease it out, appoint a volunteer board to manage it, or close it to create something new.
Many people want to see increased programming at township facilities overall, including:
- artistic groups;
- sports such as ball hockey, lacrosse, basketball and soccer;
- informal play opportunities and non-team sports such as roller skating;
- youth-focussed spaces for leadership, health education and social development; and
- expanded summer and after-school programs.
There is also a “strong desire” for a swimming pool, fitness centre and multi-use sports pad, states a report summary.
Many respondents said rental and program fees at township facilities are too high, and many suggested there is a discrepancy between the two urban centres, with more opportunities in Mount Forest than Arthur.
Township staff visited Wellington Heights Secondary School, the Arthur Walking Group and The VON Exercise Class in Arthur for input.
Emails were sent to community groups including the Optimists, Lions, the Arthur Agricultural Society, the Arthur Historical Society, the Mount Forest Museum and Archives and Mount Forest Pickleball.
The pickleball group is the primary user of the community centre and representative Faye Meulensteen delegated to council about its value.
She said public pickleball is offered at the community centre for two hours four times per week, with between 20 and 25 people attending an average session.
There are five courts in the community centre and it costs $5 per person per session to play.
“Our group has grown substantially over the past few years and we currently have a membership of about 80 people,” she said.
“We are a group of concerned taxpayers who want to continue to enjoy the space.”
Meulensteen said pickleball is important, as playing the sport comes with a host of health benefits as well as opportunities to socialize.
“It’s easy to learn and play for all ages and a very cost effective sport,” she said.
The Mount Forest Community Centre is an ideal place to play, Meulensteen said, because it is a large space with high ceilings and heating in the winter and fans in the summer.
She said pickleball group members see great potential for the space, which could be used for soccer, lacrosse, floor hockey, roller skating or other indoor sports.
“Some of our area children are playing these sports out of town and it would be great if they were able to play in their hometown,” she said.
Meulensteen asked what the main obstacles are to broadening uses at the community centre, and recreation manager Mandy Jones said doing so would require increased staffing and capital investments.
Meulensteen also asked what would happen if the pickleball group could no longer play at the community centre.
Jones said staff would work with the pickleball group and officials at other locations, including the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex, the curling club or the school board, “to find a suitable spot.”
Jones acknowledged there would be “definite obstacles to overcome.”
Councillor Steve McCabe asked about next steps now that public consultation is completed.
CAO Brooke Lambert said, “We wanted to give council an opportunity to digest the feedback because it’s quite varied in its range and implications.
“Our proposal at this time is to work through the 2026 budget process and bring back basically an operating plan for next year that will obviously contain some base assumptions about what the facility can do.
“And then if there’s any larger capital projects those would also be included in the budget for consideration.”
In the meantime, she said staff recommends keeping things “status quo” until they bring forward future reports outlining different options.
That means continuing to allow some user groups to use parts of the facility, but not opening it to a wider range of uses for now, Lambert said.
Mayor Andy Lennox said “before we dive in too deep I’d certainly like to have a close look at what the long-term capital expenditures would need to be … before we invest any significant dollars …
“It’s totally speculation but maybe that’s not the right facility longer-term – maybe we need to look at other alternatives to meet the needs of the community.”
