The Derby Community Centre in Kilsyth (Matt Hermiz/Bayshore Broadcasting News)
Georgian Bluffs is looking to hear from residents on a proposal to convert arena space at the Derby Community Centre to indoor turf.
Previously a natural ice arena, the township’s committee of the whole passed a motion in May to undertake a public engagement process around what people would like to do at the facility in Kilsyth.
The community centre serves as a hub for local gatherings and recreational activities, and features meeting rooms and kitchen facilities.
Acting CAO and Director of Community Services Niall Lobley says, “the township had an innovative proposal put forward to us by Ontario Sport Development. They came to us and said that they think there is an interest in the area for an indoor turf facility, and they are wondering whether or not the township would be open to them taking on the operations of the community centre and put in an artificial turf.”
The company has worked on other turf programs in Brampton, Mississauga, Alliston, Barrie, and Angus.
“We are in the process of receiving an initial proposal, we have taken that to council and council have asked us to go and talk to the community about it and bring back some thoughts later this year. We are going through an engagement process right now,” says Lobley.
Ontario Sport Development has offered to operate the facility for a minimum of 10 years.
Lobley says once the feedback is collected by the end of August, the will compile it and bring another presentation to council in late September or early October, where council will decide if they want to work with Ontario Sport Development.
Having been built in 1967, the township would need to invest about $1.5 million over the next 10 years to maintain the aging facility.
He says currently, there are no other plans for the facility but expects there to be a facilities review at some point to understand what residents and communities in the municipality need, which might include improvements or a new facility.
Those interested in sharing their thoughts on the proposal can complete a short survey on the engageGB website here, and a session where residents can share their comments will be held on Aug. 28 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the arena.