By Dylan Freeman-Grist
HAGERSVILLE—The Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre officially opened its doors to the public on Sunday, February 28, 2026. The new, fully accessible facility adds a brand-new full-service library, gymnasium, recreational space, event space, a commercial kitchen, as well as room for arts and community programming for residents of Hagersville and Haldimand as a whole.
To mark the occasion, the County hosted a grand opening ceremony complete with tours and activities, as well as free snacks and refreshments from Cayuga’s Carolinian Café & Eatery, who will be opening their second location inside the centre. The event attracted hundreds of guests and families from across the county, and was topped off with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony attended by several County officials, including Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley.
HAGERSVILLE—Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley cuts the ribbon for the new Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre. 
HAGERSVILLE—Whitney and Jordan Fowler, owners of The Carolinian Café & Eatery, were all smiles. Their newest location – and first expansion beyond their Cayuga flagship shop – sits in the main hall of the new Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre. 
HAGERSVILLE—While the inside of the facility is complete (as seen above), landscaping remains to be done around the building (as seen below). This will be completed through the spring and summer. 
HAGERSVILLE—There were many activities for visitors to try. Sisters Lillian, 6, and Emilia, 3, Dell’Anno played some basketball in the gymnasium. 
HAGERSVILLE—The Lamanes family – Oliver, 4, Elsie, 8 months, and parents Dave and Sarah – explored the children’s play area during Saturday’s grand opening of the new Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre on February 28, 2026. The fully accessible, multi-use facility in Grant Kett Park features a new full-service library, gymnasium, community and event spaces, and a commercial kitchen, and will offer expanded arts, recreation, and educational programming for residents of Hagersville and Haldimand County. See the full story and more photos on Page 9. —Haldimand Press photo by Dylan Freeman-Grist.
“Today we officially open the Hagersville Active Living Centre, a space designed to bring people together, support healthier lifestyles, and strengthen community connections,” Bentley said.
Work for the project began in 2021 after Haldimand Council identified a need for expanded and more accessible public spaces in light of the region’s growth. Financing for the project came in part from a community fundraising campaign, which has raised over $1.75 million for the project to date.
Nestled in downtown Hagersville’s Grant Kett Park at 11 Athens Street, the facility will host a wide variety of indoor and outdoor programming for all ages spanning athletics, arts, and education. While the indoor facility is semi-operational, its remaining outdoor spaces will be completed in the spring and summer. The facility will be operating a reduced slate of free programming until its scheduled date for full operations on April 7. The community is encouraged to attend some of the preliminary programming and leave feedback to help shape what will be offered going forward.
“We want to hear what the community would like us to offer,” said Jayne Aldridge, Supervisor of Community Programs at Haldimand County. “What we intend to do is open the doors and have the community who haven’t had the chance to come out and see the facility.”
