Ontario Construction News staff writer
Guelph City Council has approved an additional $35.5 million for construction of the South End Community Centre (SECC), bringing the total cost of the project to $115.5 million.
“I’m thrilled that council has given their approval for the additional construction budget so we can move forward with building the South End Community Centre,” said Jayne Holmes, deputy chief administrative officer of infrastructure, development and enterprise services. “This is an important investment for our community’s future as we create a space that will bring people together for years to come.”
Most of the additional $35.5 million will come from development charges, consistent with the split of approved funding already in place for the SECC. Taxes will fund the remaining $1.8 million.
Construction is expected to begin this fall with doors opening in late 2026.
Although the concept has been in the works since the early 2000s, the construction was originally approved in October 2020 with a budget of $80 million.
It will be built off Clair Road beside Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School, just north of the South End Community Park in the south end of Guelph.
The 160,000-sq. ft. South End Community Centre (SECC), featuring twin ice pads, an aquatic center with a lap and teaching pool, double gym, walking track and multi-purpose rooms all connected by a central lobby, will be built on existing city-owned lands immediately south of Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School on Poppy Drive connecting with the existing South End Community Park and Larry Pearson baseball diamonds.
The facility’s green initiatives, which align with the City’s Community Net Zero Carbon and Corporate 100% Renewable Energy (100RE) goals, will result in 62 per cent energy savings and 85 per cent savings in greenhouse gas emissions. Through an energy-conservation-first approach and incorporating renewable energy generation, this takes the city one step closer to achieving its goal of 100 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2050.
Construction of the centre will include elements to support the city’s net-zero energy goals, significantly reducing the buildings carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices.