The Mayor of St. Clair Township is relieved to finally share the news.
Jeff Agar has been waiting for the Ontario government to announce the municipality has been awarded a $1 million grant for the Moore Sports Complex.
"It's great," Agar said. "We needed a new roof, so that's like a half a million. We have to upgrade about a million dollars to our arena side, and then we have a pool too. So, it's probably another million dollars into the pool."
He said the work will start this year and likely finish in 2026.
"Over on the pool side we have decking [planned], a new diving board, some tile in the bathrooms, some upgrades to the changerooms," Agar said.
The funding, administered through the province's Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, is being matched by the municipality.
"Our treasurer will have to dig deep and we'll be able to match our end of it. So, like I said, they give a million dollar grant and then we had to guarantee a million too. But, a million dollars is a lot to save from having to do it all ourselves," Agar said.
“I’m extremely pleased that the Government of Ontario is making this investment in the Moore Sports Complex,” said Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey in a news release. “For decades the people of Lambton County have enjoyed recreational activities at the Moore Sports Complex, this investment will ensure this important community facility is in great shape for years to come.”
Mayor Agar said he was appreciative of the Ford government's funding, especially after also receiving $33.8 million in 2024 for the Courtright Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion project.
Community Services Director Kendall Lindsay previously told Sarnia News Today they had hoped to replace what they could to run the facility for another 50 years.