Whether you want to workout, take a dip in a pool, play some hockey, or just sit and read, London's newest community centre is being billed as a one-stop-shop for families in the southwest end.
The Bostwick Community Centre, a joint venture between the City of London, the YMCA of Western Ontario, and the London Public Library, opens to the public next month. The $55-million facility includes a 25 metre indoor pool, two NHL-size ice pads, a YMCA fitness centre, a community kitchen, meeting rooms, public spaces, and a library branch.
"This is a true partnership, that is here to serve people," said Andrew Lockie, CEO of the YMCA of Western Ontario. "My favourite fact is that this facility is going to get used. We are going to have thousands of people coming through here, having positive interactions with each other, and doing things that contribute to a positive community."
Built on 11 acres of land on Southdale Rd., the 170,000 sq ft community centre is the YMCA's largest facility.
"While bigger isn't always better, we know the demand for services in this area is very high," said Lockie. "There is a lot of growth in this part of the city and there will be lots of people using it. So we wanted to make sure we built a space that was big enough to accommodate everybody."
There is a full gymnasium, a ninja warrior course with synthetic turf, and a 200 metre walking loop that overlooks the north ice rink.
Visitors of the centre will walk through the main entrance into a massive atrium that features a seating area and electronic charging stations. Inside the two-level library branch are three study rooms, public computers, and space to read. Joint programs between the library and YMCA are also in the works.
"For example, at the Stoney Creek Community Centre we had children's reading time in the pool. So we had the parents and the kids bathing in the shallow pool and the librarian came out in her swimming suit, had a waterproof book and they would read," said Library Board Chair Stuart Clark. "I like to call it one-stop-shopping, where people can come to one place to sign out their books, go swimming, and also attend the YMCA."
A Service London counter is located within the building, offering registration for recreational programs, facility bookings, city memberships and subsidized LTC bus passes. The community kitchen and multipurpose rooms will include cooking, dance, music, and arts and crafts classes.
There is a fully accessible play structure just steps outside of the building, which has collaborative and sensory play options. The play equipment is the first of its kind to be installed in the city.
The double pad arena, named after the Soufan family for donating the land, has 12 dressing rooms and will see learn to skate classes, public skating, and rentals for adult and minor sport organizations.
"The ice pads are going to be very busy," said Scott Stafford, the city's managing director of parks and recreation. "They are replacing the Silverwoods and the Glen Cairn ice pads. We expect them to be full. We are booked already. The West London Hockey Association, it is their new home and they will be in here on September 4."
The building itself exceeds current energy efficiency requirements. Natural daylight is featured in all major spaces. Rainwater in the parking lot is stored and treated onsite and waste heat generated by the rink refrigeration system will be used to preheat hot water for showers and in-floor heating.
"We are all excited about getting it open and having the community enjoy," said Stafford.
The public will get its first sneak peek at the new facility on Saturday during a community BBQ from 11am to 3pm.
The Nella Soufan Arena officially opens on September 4. That is followed by the opening of the Bostwick Library Branch on September 11. The YMCA goes into operation on September 18.
An official grand opening of the entire facility is being planned for November 10.
