Sarnia council has advanced plans for a new multi-use recreation facility to public consultation.
The top four sites; Bluewater Gymnastics/Sarnia Girls Soccer, Germain Park, the Research Park lands, and the former Holmes Foundry site in Point Edward which attracted the most discussion during Monday's meeting.
Steve Langlois from Monteith Brown Planning Consultants said discussions with the Lottie Neely Park users will advance in the next stage.
"We have not had specific dialogue with them," said Langlois. "It's something that we hope to hear more from them, as well as the lease holder on that site Bluewater Gymnastics, through the public input period that we're about to embark on."
The ability to partner with the Village of Point Edward to build a facility off Highway 402, in the area of Christina and Exmouth Streets, was questioned.
"We've not had specific dialog with Point Edward about that site," Langlois added. "Certainly, it was evaluated using the same criteria as all other sites. It would have scored well in a number of ways, particularly the location's proximity to the 402 and existing residential areas. It was our fourth ranked site. Some of its disadvantages, certainly it's not municipally owned, so there's potential for an extra cost there."
Mayor Mike Bradley said building at the Holmes Foundry location could be "doable, if the will is there."
"Back when we were looking to build the sports and entertainment complex, which is now at the college, the council of the day, their prime location, and I was supportive, was Holmes Foundry," said Bradley.
"(Under that proposed agreement) we would take ten acres of the land and the other seven would stay with the developer and then we would transfer an equal amount of assessment, Sandy Lane apartments for example, over to Point Edward. So, it was beneficial to them on a cash basis. What ended the process was we could not get the environmental reports that we needed from the developer to proceed."
Council heard that a permanent structure, rather than an air supported dome, is preferred.
The first option, that would include a 109,000 square foot multi-use facility with three fields, is estimated to cost just over $26 million.
The second option would see a nearly 128,000 square foot "FIFA field" built, with four fields for greater tournament potential and capability for long term growth, costing approximately $33 million.
Feedback on the draft study will now be sought in a virtual public information session January 31, 2022 at 6 p.m. Pre-registration is required.
Written submission can be sent to parksandrecreation@sarnia.ca by February 7, 2022.
The study will then be considered by council for approval at the February 28, 2022 regular meeting.