Drayton community centre expansion moving forward with $4.7-million federal grant

DRAYTON – Long-standing plans to expand the PMD Arena and Community Centre are moving ahead with a significant cash influx.

The federal government announced on Aug. 25 it is providing $4.7 million in taxpayers’ dollars to Mapleton from a $51-billion community infrastructure fund.

Mapleton CAO Manny Baron said the township has been continually denied funding since it began applying in 2021, but was approved in the latest round after some financial adjustments.

“It’s an extremely important and exciting project for Mapleton,” Baron said.

The federal grant will cover 40% of the overall $12.8-million project, with plans for a new multi-sport and community space, accessibility improvements, and energy efficiency upgrades.

Mayor Gregg Davidson said in a statement the “investment is a strong vote of confidence in our community and in the work our council and staff are doing to build a strong, resilient and inclusive township.”

Design plans show the current community hall is proposed to be turned into a gymnasium with a second-floor walking track circling the court below.

The expansion would add an additional 3,800 square feet to the facility.

There are three community halls in the township, but none with indoor courts for ball sports, Baron noted.

“We felt that with the growing community, the increase in recreational type of activities … there was a need to to to upgrade our hall to better serve our residents,” Baron said.

Design plans by Quebec-headquartered architect Cima are almost a third-way complete.

The township is planning information sessions to solicit public feedback on final designs, expected by the end of the year, according to Baron.

“This is not a done deal; we expect and want public feedback,” he said.

Construction could begin next summer, following the Drayton Farm Show and Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation gala, with completion anticipated for the spring or summer of 2028. The arena portion of the facility is expected to remain open for the ice season during construction.

Treasurer Patrick Kelly said the upgrades have been in limbo without external funding.

“We could not withstand the full cost implications of what the community is looking for here,” he said of the local tax base, adding the 40% contribution from the federal government was more than expected.

The township plans to pay for the remaining 60%, $8.1 million, from infrastructure reserves, development charges, and through a 20-year loan.

However, Kelly said there’s hope that fundraising and a provincial grant would offset at least some of the $2.7 million in debt the township would otherwise need to take on.

The loan would add $197,000 annually to the tax levy to service the debt, according to Kelly.

“The ultimate goal is to have no (local) impact to the taxpayer,” Baron added.

Kelly said all three tiers of government contributing to the project would be “a win for everyone.”

A separate $3-million overhaul of the arena portion of the facility is ongoing — including replacement of the rink and refrigeration system, and new dasher boards, glass, vertical netting and staircase improvements— and is expected to be completed for the upcoming rink season.