Aurora leisure complex could be open by October
$4.2M expansion features youth centre, teaching kitchen

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 22, 2014
By Teresa Latchford

You could be using the new and improved Aurora Family Leisure Complex as early as October.

The Industrial Parkway North complex has been closed for nearly a year for renovations and construction.

While the ice pad and racquet courts remain in use, much of the programming has been temporarily relocated to the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex.

The project is on schedule and on budget, according to Aurora parks and recreation services director Al Downey.

“We did have to reduce some of our programming to accommodate users from both complexes, but I believe we have done a good job,” he added.

“At the end of the day, everything has worked out well, but everyone is anxious to get back to the complex.”

In 2012, Aurora council approved a $4.2-million expansion of the complex featuring a youth centre and upgrades to bring the building up to code.

A gymnasium, peer counselling area, teaching kitchen, rock climbing wall and skateboard park fill the more than 2,800-square-foot youth space.

A new entryway, reception desk and change rooms were also listed under the approved design.

In 2013, council approved an additional $2.6 million to deal with unforeseen building code issues and to construct a new one-storey fitness centre on the complex, bringing the total cost to $6.8 million.

To date, the majority of the interior renovations have been completed. The roof and windows of the one-storey addition need to be completed and the rest of the work is finishing touches.

“We will be moving back into a bigger and better facility,” Downey said. “We have had to make sacrifices over the past year, but come the end of October, we will be reaping the benefits.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is in the works and the exact date of re-opening will be announced when the work has been completed.

A gymnasium, peer counselling area, teaching kitchen, rock climbing wall and skateboard park fill the more than 2,800-square-foot youth space.