The Town of Tecumseh has a plan in place to build its new multi-use Sportsplex.
Tecumseh Town Council accepted a report at its meeting Tuesday night outlining the next steps toward the construction and opening of a new multi-use Sportsplex near the current Tecumseh Arena. While council did not make any decisions on the development, there is a plan as to moving the project forward.
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara had the Sportsplex as a major theme of his most recent municipal election campaign, and he says the town is ready to support bringing it through.
"We've had multiple public information meetings, and it's been overwhelming," says McNamara.
The process began in 2015 when council called for a feasibility study to determine potential uses for the facility, as well as cost estimates. With the general plan approved by council earlier this year, cost estimates are expected to be up to $24-million. These costs are based on construction only. The town does not expect an operational subsidy. The Sportsplex would go up on land the town already owns directly east of Tecumseh Arena, though it would involve the relocation and redevelopment of the Hebert Field baseball diamond.
Raising funds for the construction of the project will be a top priority. Council members say the best-case scenario for the town's share, minimizing the impact on taxpayers, would be $6.6-million in taxes and debt as well as over $1.6-million in fundraising. McNamara says they will start by lobbying the federal government as well as the Ontario legislature for funding and grant allocation.
"If you look at both of their budgets, it's very clear that added in the mix as infrastructure, recreation and cultural centres are also a main focus," says McNamara.
McNamara says the town will be contacting local businesses and groups, as well as look into cooperative arrangements with other municipalities for facility use.
"The fundraising committee is going to play an essential role," says McNamara. "I think the timing is very good because the economy is doing extremely well and we're going to extremely aggressive."
Town council will hire a project architect, a construction team and set the timetable for construction before it announces a date for construction to start. The build is expected to last 12 to 16 months.
To see the town's feasibility study for the Sportsplex, visit the town of Tecumseh's official website.
