The Community Hub in Strong Township is expected to open this summer after unexpected delays.
FedNor and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation contributed a total of $1 million toward the facility and the municipality added its share of just more than $300,000 to kick-start the project.
Construction of the building was announced in August 2022.
“It didn’t move along as everyone would have liked,” said Strong Mayor Tim Bryson. “There were challenges with the project.”
A turnover of municipal staff just as construction of the hub began during the last term of council was a significant hurdle. However, the majority of the work is completed now and Bryson is confident the hub will open in a few months.
Pickleball is expected to be one activity at the hub and Bryson believes it can also accommodate concerts.
The hub can be used as an alternative location to host significant events like Sundridge’s Sunflower Festival in case of impending bad weather. Two years ago, after months of planning, the August festival was cut short due to a severe rainstorm. Sundridge Strong Joly Arena and the hub could provide last-minute venues so festival cancellations become a thing of the past, Bryson says.
Depending on whether the Village of Sundridge decides to pursue an outdoor rink, the hub could become the site for such an activity, turning it into a year-round facility, Bryson adds.
Rocco Frangione is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter with Almaguin News. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.