Update on the Community's New Recreation Complex

I want to share an update on the progress made on our community's new recreation complex over the past few months.

In September, a stretch of Earl Armstrong Road was closed to allow crews to install a major watermain that will serve the recreation complex, as well as future homes and businesses in the surrounding area. Thank you to residents for your patience while this important work was completed.

The water pipes installed are 300 mm in diameter (almost one foot wide). In the photo, I am holding a cross-section of the pipe to demonstrate its size. This water infrastructure is important given the needs of the swimming pools, ice rinks, splash pad, sports fields and drinking water facilities. The watermain can carry up to 150 litres of water per second, enough to service approximately 2,500 homes.

Residents may have also noticed a new drainage ditch running along the north side of Earl Armstrong Road, adjacent to the recreation complex site. This drainage infrastructure is important to ensure proper drainage for the future sports fields.

Two large signs have also been installed to mark the eastern and western boundaries of the project, helping illustrate the magnitude of the site. The recreation complex building itself will be approximately 15,000 square metres, comparable in size to the Minto Recreation Complex in Barrhaven. However, the overall site is significantly larger, covering approximately 18 hectares, more than double the size of Minto's 9-hectare site. This additional space will accommodate a greater number of outdoor sports fields and recreational amenities.

Another major milestone has been the delivery of approximately 80,000 cubic metres of soil to prepare the site for future construction. To put that into perspective, this is enough soil to fill approximately 33 Olympic-sized swimming pools! This work will help regrade the land and prepare the ground for the building's foundation. The weight of the soil will help squeeze water out of the underlying ground, improving soil conditions and helping reduce future foundation costs.

Crews are also working on a new north-south access road along the eastern side of the facility. Once completed, this road will provide access to the recreation complex and its future parking lot.

While this important site preparation work continues, the architecture team is advancing the design of the complex. This remains an important part of the planning process as the project moves through the necessary stages toward eventual construction.

I look forward to continuing to advance this important project over the coming years, keeping residents informed as work progresses, and ultimately welcoming our community through the doors of this new recreation complex.