Construction of leisure centre and library expansion underway

It's the first major expansion for the Leisure Centre since it opened in 2001

York Region.com/Stouffville Sun-Tribune
Nov. 17, 2016
By Ali Raza

The town has finally started construction of its expansion of the leisure centre, with its beginning marked Nov. 15 in a ceremonial sod turning event.

Members of council, the library board, the Latcham Gallery , town staff and consultants along with approximately 50 residents attended the event where the start of construction announcement was made.

The project is on schedule and on budget for a public opening in early 2018, leisure and community services director and project lead Rob Raycroft said.

This is the first major expansion for them leisure centre since it opened in 2001. The proposed design includes expansion of the public library - doubling it in size - the addition of the Latcham Gallery, a new gymnasium and a new fitness studio.

A total of 42,010 sq. ft. is to be added to the existing centre. The library expansion is approximately 16,000 sq. ft, while the Latcham Gallery will comprise 3,850 sq. ft. in the existing fitness space. The gymnasium will comprise of 7,800 sq. ft. and the fitness studio will be 5,800 sq. ft, the aerobic studio will be 2,370 sq. ft.

“On behalf of the library board and staff, we all look forward with much anticipation to the occupancy of our new and expanded library facility in January 2018,” Pinnock said.

Council approved a budget of $15,440,000 including tax. The budget includes costs of design, management and construction.

Common space and storage space are to be expanded while a new pool viewing area will be built. The expansion will force the need of additional staff, adding more local jobs in the process.

Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks, while completion is set for the end of 2017.