Following a year of consultation and research, Chatham-Kent is once again looking for public feedback on its strategic plan for parks and recreation in the municipality.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent will be hosting a public open house on September 23 to present and receive feedback on the draft recommendations included in the 2025 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
The open house will feature several presentation boards placed around the room, which will provide an overview of the plan, a summary of engagement, its strategic direction, recommendations for priority projects and policies, as well as a costing and implementation strategy. Municipal staff will also be present to answer questions and receive comments.
Among the larger proposals is a new 80-acre multi-use recreation centre near Chatham that would include two ice pads, a full-size gymnasium, indoor pool, indoor soccer pitch, and four outdoor multi-use fields. The project carries an estimated price tag of $160 million, with completion targeted for 2035.
If approved, the project would also mean closing and selling Chatham Memorial Arena, W.K. Erickson Arena, and Walter Hawkins Pool.
Other proposals include:
- A new ball diamond complex in South Kent
- Continued development of land donated by St. Clair College, including a cricket pitch, pickleball courts, and other amenities, to be completed in 2027
- Development of Wallaceburg South Side Parkland by 2034
- A new downtown Wheatley park by 2031
- Renovations to Blenheim Memorial Arena, estimated at $3.6 million, by 2029
The plan recommends maintaining ten municipal ice pads while reducing the number of outdoor pools from seven to four.
Local residents are welcome to drop in the open house anytime between 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre, Meeting Room 1A.
The draft recommendations of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan will also be posted online following the event. For more information, click here.