Kitchener council moves forward with construction of new community centre in Williamsburg

A new community centre will be coming to the growing community of Williamsburgin the near future as part of a project in partnership withthe region's Catholic school board.

Kitchener city council voted unanimously to go ahead with the $8.1 million project during a community and infrastructure services committee meeting Monday night.

Ward 5 Coun.Ayo Owodunni, who represents the neighbourhoods ofLaurentian West, Huron Park andWilliamsburg, said he is excited for what the centre will bring to thecommunity.

"When you go to the Huron Community Centre and you feel the buzz with all the different activities taking place and you see the youth come in for drop-in programs ... I wish and want the same thing for Williamsburg," he said.

"There is limited programs that can take place in the smaller space."

He added the new centre will be an asset to thearea and will address growing demand for community space and programing.

The centre is expected to be built in the Rosenberg area and will keep the name "Williamsburg Community Centre."It's not yet clear when construction will start.

The current community centre serving the Williamsburg community is278 square meters (or 3,000 square feet)while thenew centre will be 1,580 square meters (or 17,000 square feet) facility with a double gymnasium, four large program areas, as well as offices and infrastructure to build an outdoor skating rink.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic says he's also "thrilled" to see council vote for the project.

"I think it's fair to say that southwest Kitchener is doing OK in terms of investments when we think over the last little while around two community centres, a library and a small rec complex," Vrbanovic said.

"I think as a council we're very fortunate to build these facilities that are going to serve."

Budget for thisproject was approved by council at $6 million in the 2020 capital budget process, but that rose by $2 million since then. Staff told councillors the entire project is being funded by development charges and it will not have an impact on taxes.