Mount Forest Community Centre closed after inspection revealed safety concerns
Centre is more than 50 years old and was first closed in 2008
MOUNT FOREST – The Mount Forest Community Centre is closed, and will remain closed until further notice.
The closure of the centre, at 320 King St. E., follows an inspection by the township’s building and fire departments.
As a result of the inspection, orders were issued identifying code compliance matters related to the deterioration of the building.
The orders require the issues to be addressed immediately or the facility must remain closed.
The Mount Forest Community Centre is more than 50 years old and was already nearing the end of its useful life when it was first closed in 2008, officials say.
Following that closure, the facility was leased to a community group that assumed responsibility for ongoing maintenance.
When the township resumed management of the building last year, several assessments were completed, including reviews of structural, plumbing and public health conditions.
At that time, targeted improvements were made to address safety and security concerns, officials say.
Since then, staff have continued to monitor the condition of the facility and determined a more comprehensive review was necessary given the building’s age and ongoing deterioration, especially following a harsh winter, officials say.
The township’s priority is safety, states a township press release.
“The township is committed to completing a thorough review and will bring forward a comprehensive report to council on the future of the facility later in 2026,” the release adds.
