A $2M outdoor recreation centre will be built in Iroquois Falls
Two companies are building a new outdoor recreation centre in the Town of Iroquois Falls – and officials are thrilled with the news.
“Especially after the last two years, recreation and focusing on healthy lifestyles for all demographics is more important than ever," said Brian Finner, director of recreational services for the Town of Iroquois Falls.
Validus Power Corporation and Tightline Construction will turn the existing Devonshire Park into a multi-faceted park. It will have a splash pad, basketball, tennis and pickleball courts and an accessible playground.
“No matter if you have money or not, it’s for everybody and that touches my heart," said Tory Delaurier, mayor of Iroquois Falls.
"Validus and Tightline Construction, they made my dream come true and our residents’ dream come true."
Children playing in the park during the announcement said they are especially excited about the splash pad.
“This might be, like, the best out of all the things I could possibly do in this town," said Elaina Kollmeita.
The Centre will be named after Leo Bechard, a former resident who happens to be the father-in-law of Validus' president and CEO Todd Shortt.
“I know it would have been very near and dear to his heart that whatever we did for the community would revolve around recreation," said Shortt.
The investment is $2 million and town officials said they are grateful to add to the quality of life in the community.
“We’re close to mines … in a quiet, safer community," said Delaurier.
"I’m not saying the other communities aren’t safe, but we’re very safe. Just travel 45 minutes to Timmins, or half an hour to Cochrane, 20 minutes to Matheson, we’re in a central location to everybody, right, and cost of living is cheap here. Our taxes aren’t that high.”
The plan is to begin construction next spring and wrap up before winter. Residents are reminded the design is a work in progress and could change.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.