The Municipality of Chatham-Kent (CK) has some ambitious plans for its recreation future, including a new multi-million dollar complex with a multi-pad arena.
The municipality plans to hold a public open house on September 23, 2025, to get feedback from the public about 85 recommendations in the Draft Recreation Master Plan. This includes a new 80-acre development near Chatham with a minimum of two ice pads, a full-size gymnasium, indoor pool, indoor soccer pitch, and four new multi-use fields. No location has been disclosed for the new complex.
CK's Administration said the project has an estimated price tag of $160 million and should be ready in 2035.
The new project would mean the closure and sale of the Chatham Memorial Arena, W.K. Erickson Arena, and Walter Hawkins Pool.
The open house on September 23 will be held at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre, meeting room 1A, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Members of the public are free to drop by at any point during those hours.
The open house will feature several presentation boards placed around the room for a walkthrough experience. The focus of the session will include:
Project Overview, Purpose, Background, and Study Area
Vision and Strategic Direction
Summary of Engagement
Recommendations for priority projects and policies along with costing and implementation strategy
Staff will be available to answer questions and receive comments during the session.
The draft recommendations of the 2025 Parks & Recreation Master Plan will also be posted at www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/parks-recreation-master-plan-update following the open house.
Other proposed projects in the master plan include a new 20-acre South Kent Ball Diamond Complex estimated at $17 million and to be completed by 2035, along with the Blenheim Memorial Arena renovation with a price tag of $3.6 million and a completion date of 2029. The arena's refrigerant system must be converted from synthetic to natural refrigerant to meet modern standards.
The St. Clair College Community Park with a cricket pitch, multi-use fields, and basketball courts is also in the master plan, as is the Wheatley Downtown Park for passive recreation and special events.
Administration has also come up with a plan to divest aging arenas while maintaining a total of 10 arenas in Chatham-Kent.
The number of outdoor pools could also be reduced from seven to four.
Final funding and timelines must still be worked out.
A final report is expected to return to CK council for approval in November.