Beaconsfield rec centre expansion to address program demand, mayor says

Beaconsfield is set to invest about $2.7 million to expand and upgrade its recreation centre.

Last week, city council tabled a loan bylaw, which faces a Feb. 9 register, to launch the rec centre extension project, which was listed in its three-year capital program.

“We’re expanding the front (of the rec centre),” said Mayor Georges Bourelle.

“We’re basically adding a second floor and there will be more room for people coming in. We’re kind of crowded with tournaments and things like this. There’s going to be a new reception room and offices upstairs.”

Unlike a sound wall for the south side of Highway 20, the mayor doesn’t anticipate heated debate over the loan bylaw for the reccentre upgrade.

“The rec centre is used by a lot of our people, whether it be for hockey or the pool. People are screaming all the time for more hours at the pool. We use the gym for all kinds of activities,” he said.

“It’s really a community centre, so that kind of thing you don’t really hear a lot from residents. Now, there are some people who think we shouldn’t spend any money on anything.”

Once the loan bylaw is deemed approved, the city can place a call for public tender.

The extension of the rec centre, which was built in 1974, will add about 5,000 square feet of space over two floors. The timetable for this work has yet to be finalized as plans are still being prepared by architects.

It’s anticipated the rec centre won’t have to close during renovations, as side entrances could be used as alternatives.

Other improvements planned for the centre include renovating the front desk as well as the canteen area on the mezzanine, adding new bathrooms, updating emergency exits, installing a sprinkler system and improving wheelchair access, according to city officials.

Meanwhile, Beaconsfield has tabled other loan bylaws for infrastructure projects that are also subject to registers Feb. 9. About $1.2 million is being borrowed to repair road structures near the Elm Ave. and Beaurepaire Dr. viaducts, about $1.2 million will be earmarked to convert street lamps to light emitting diode (LED) lighting, $470,000 is for the construction of a waste-water pump station on Gables Court and about $4.7 million is for the rehabilitation of water and sewage pipes.