Beaver Staff
Amherstview’s W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre aquatics program is on track to being restored and the building will be retrofitted with several upgrades courtesy a $16.5 million grant from the federal government.
On Thursday Mark Gerretsen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and MP for Kingston and the Islands, was joined by Loyalist Mayor Jim Hegadorn to announce the funding.
“Quality community and recreational infrastructure is vital to community well-being and development,” Gerretsen said in a release. “Today’s important announcement will provide residents in Loyalist with an accessible, modern and green facility they can enjoy for years to come. Our government will continue to work with its provincial, territorial, and municipal partners to invest in local community infrastructure, promote climate action, and build more resilient and inclusive communities.”
Funding will support upgrades to the W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre to improve the safety, accessibility, and environmental performance of the facility. Work will include replacing the aquatics facility, improving accessibility and mechanical systems, renovating the arena and library, and installing energy-saving components. These improvements are expected to reduce the facility’s energy consumption by an estimated 38.6 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 207 tonnes annually.
In March of this year the indoor pool at the Henderson Rec Centre was closed due to infrastructure issues.
“The W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre is a valuable recreational and community space that has served our residents and surrounding communities for more than 40 years,” said Hegadorn. “Green investments in the Recreation Centre will modernize the facility, restore, and enhance aquatic services and improve facility accessibility for everyone. The project will also incorporate several energy conservation measures which will help to decrease energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions from the facility, further contributing to the Township’s Climate Action Plan.”
Once complete, this community hub will provide residents with access to a state-of-the-art facility where they can connect with each other and access community and recreational programs and services.