More parks and recreational facilities with swimming pool study in Strathroy-Caradoc master plan

STRATHROY-CARADOC – When will there be a swimming pool?

This was the most asked question during the public consultation on the future of parks and recreation in Strathroy-Caradoc.

Consultant Steve Langlois of Monteith Brown presented a 172-page master plan to council on January 17. It contains 63 recommendations, 18 key directions and four guiding principles that were unanimously approved by the board.

Not everything will happen at the same time, and a lot may not happen at all depending on the wishes of future councils and whether the projected growth from 24,000 to over 35,000 people by 2046. But this plan provides for major improvements in parks and recreation facilities to meet all needs. growth.

The report calls for 22.5 hectares of additional parkland by 2046. There should be park space for all new and existing developments, more playgrounds, the All Wheels approved park development on the fairgrounds, improving all-weather amenities like volunteer-run outdoor rinks, restrooms, courts and community gardens to encourage everyone to get outside.

The focus would be on large parks that would be used more. There are plans to create another three-hectare community park in Strathroy and Mount Brydges, in addition to parks planned for North Meadows which are expected to have two tennis courts and give priority to playgrounds.

Longer term investments include a feasibility study on providing an indoor swimming pool with community partners. Langlois pointed out that indoor pools are popular and used, but very expensive. Strathroy’s outdoor pool recorded 25,000 visits in 2019, surpassing pools in many large communities. Langlois said that when the population approaches 30,000, municipalities take a closer look at feasibility, a number that should be reached in nine years.

Other long-term goals were the development of a pickleball court complex with six courts in this future community park, a multipurpose area for ball hockey and winter skating in Strathroy, and an off-leash dog park. at Mount Bridges.

A new Mount Brydges arena was a short-term priority, as was the expansion of the Gemini Sportsplex and possibly the conversion of the West Middlesex Memorial Center into an indoor grass pitch or gymnasium. A gymnasium at the Caradoc community center was also listed.

Langlois encouraged volunteers and clubs to continue helping to get everyone active.

“That means affordable, accessible and inclusive opportunities to get out, participate in physical activity, improve our own mental well-being and interact socially safely right now for all ages and abilities,” said Langlois.