HAGERSVILLE—First announced in 2021, the Active Living Centre + Library project currently in development at Grant Kett Park is mere months away from opening its doors to the public.
The long-in-development community hub will host a mix of uses, from basketball and pickleball courts to rentable event space, alongside a modern library with a dedicated youth space, loft space, and more.
“The light is very bright at the end of the tunnel. We’re very close,” said Haldimand’s Manager of Development Services Mike Evers on the project’s progress. “We’re now talking a handful of months, whereas when this project started, we were talking in years.”
According to Evers, “Site works are well in hand (and) the majority of the underground work is complete”, with items like grading and drainage now begun.
He continued, “The building itself … is fully enclosed now. The exterior has been completed in terms of stonework, siding. Inside, rough-ins on the majority of the electrical, HVAC, (and) drywall is underway.”
Beside the main facility, the old field house has been demolished, with a new one being built in its place.
Evers listed the entire project as “sitting at a little over 50% complete.”
“The contractor is targeting a substantial completion in late November … and the target of occupancy of the facility is end of year,” said Evers. “That’s not to say that we’ll be in there running programs by end of year; the reality is the formal launch of programming, rentals, and community use will be into the new year – best case, January of 2026.”
The project, priced at $16,568,330, is proceeding on budget.
“The community was tasked with raising $1.5 million to go towards the construction of the project,” noted Evers. As such, the total covered by Haldimand County sits at $15.048 million.
Evers lauded the success of the fundraising committee, who went above and beyond, raising just below $1.8 million.
“There’s been some very significant donors that have stepped up,” said Evers, noting that the extra $270,000 raised will be used for site enhancements. A report on those enhancements is expected in October, with current discussions including possible items like a portable dance floor and stage.
While the construction period speeds towards completion, staffers in Haldimand’s Community Programming and Partnerships Division are preparing to recruit facility staff, creating a suite of programs that will be offered at the facility, and developing a registration/membership model, among other organizational work.
Evers said a grand opening date has yet to be scheduled.
“We’re expecting an updated schedule from the contractor at the end of this month and that should allow us to start planning for absolute occupancy of the facility, when the public can get in there.”
He said residents can look forward to a grand opening and more as the long-discussed project finally opens its doors in 2026.
