Mary Barber and her four sons were on hand for the sod turning event for Calander's new multi-use facility Friday. Photos provided.
Municipality of Callander News Release
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Earlier today the Municipality of Callander celebrated the ground breaking for its new Multi-Use Facility. The new facility will allow the Municipality to cover its outdoor rink without enclosing it. The Council, as well as members in the community, felt it was important to maintain this rink as an outdoor facility. However, they also recognized the need to increase the length of time the rink was active and the community’s need for a facility that allows year round usage. Upon completion, the new building will be able to house trade shows, special events, concerts, and much more.
For a project of this scope to succeed, strong partnerships are required. In the case of the Multi-Use facility the Provincial Government, as led by the Hon. Monique Smith MPP for Nipissing, was a key partner. Under Ontario’s Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII) the province of Ontario has donated $1.6 million towards the construction of Callander’s new Multi-Use Facility. MPP Monique Smith was on hand to see her local riding succeed in its first steps to building this new facility. “This is an exciting day for Callander," said the Hon. Monique Smith. “The Four Seasons Centre project will compliment the Callander Community Centre. I am so happy that the province has been able to partner with the municipality on this new roof which will allow for more functions for the community to enjoy.”
In addition, the community has been committed to this project for many years, as displayed by the community group, The Friends of Harry Barber. Over the last few decades this group of hockey enthusiasts raised $16,000 to improve local hockey facilities. Upon learning of this project, The Friends of Harry Barber donated the full sum towards the Multi-Use Facility. Representing this group at the ceremony was Helen Turgeon, Mary Barber, wife of the late Harry Barber, and their four sons.
Mayor Hector Lavigne explained that, “Updating the rink facility has been an agenda item for many years, and that many previous Councils have been forced to set it aside.” He went on to explain that, “This term’s Council made an executive decision to make the Multi-Use facility a priority.” Deputy Mayor Virginia Onley, said, “We are in different circumstances than previous Councils. Council was presented with funding opportunities to move forward and we believe this investment, made in our local community, will promote economic well being, physical activity and quality of life.”
When asked about the facility design, Mayor Lavigne described it as, “A modern wooden facility”. He went on to say that, “Evans Bertrand Hill Wheeler, the architect for this project, has taken pains to incorporate all of our needs into their design. Before moving forward the council wanted to ensure that the facility would meet all of the community’s needs well into the future. With this in mind the Council selected a design that would allow the facility to be enclosed if needed, though there are no plans to do so at this time.” With the Ground Breaking taking place today, Kenalex, the general contractor, estimates that substantial completion of the facility will occur in early July 2010.
