Saugeen Shores councillors and staff were joined by residents Monday evening at the site of the planned aquatic and wellness centre in Port Elgin to officially break ground on the project.
Town Mayor Luke Charbonneau and councillors held golden shovels for a photo to mark the start of construction on the $50-million multi-use recreation facility.
It is Saugeen Shores’ biggest ever municipal project.
“I am so excited that construction is starting on this new, accessible space for fitness, sports, and leisure activities in our community,” Charbonneau says. “We’ve waited a long time to replace our existing pool with a new facility providing opportunities for both high-level competition and everyday fitness. It is one more way that Saugeen Shores is making life better for everyone who lives here.”
The new aquatic and wellness centre is being built next to The Plex. It will feature several amenities, including a pool, a gym, a walking track and meeting rooms. Town council cut some features from the project this past spring, in order to save some money as the original design was expected to be more than $10-million over budget. Less glass, a green roof and one less walking lane were among the changes made to the design to save costs, a past Bayshore Broadcasting report says.
The new facility is expected to be ready to open in 2025.
