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Loyalist Township staff have continued progress on the Loyalist Township Community Hub project during the past several months. Staff and partners have been working diligently on planning, funding, partnerships and more.

Validation Report & Business Plan

This summer, Township staff have been working on developing a Validation Report and funding plan for the first phase of the Community Hub project. This first phase will focus on the creation of a new aquatic facility as well as renovations to the existing building.


The Validation Report, which will be presented to Council during a special session on November 9, 2023, is being prepared in collaboration between the Township and a multidisciplinary team of partners. These include:


·       MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects (the Project Architect)

·       Chandos Construction (the Lead Contractor)

·       Modern Niagara

·       Acapulco Pools

·       Introba


The Validation Report will provide detailed information around the costs, timelines, and milestones associated with the construction of the proposed facility and identify any areas which might adversely impact the success of the project. It will also focus on the financial implications of the project and present different ways to cover the projected costs of building the proposed facility as well as operating it. The information contained in this report will allow Council to assess the short- and long-term implications of project on Loyalist Township and make an informed decision on whether or not to proceed with its implementation.



If accepted, all facility components are expected to be open by late 2025, with the goal to minimize impact on arena operations during the construction.

Funding & Partnerships

The Government of Canada is investing over $16.5 million in funding through Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program (GICB) to retrofit the W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre.  


At the July 11, 2022, Session of Council, $669,596 of funding was approved from Loyalist Township’s Renewable Energy Fund to support the development of schematic and detailed designs for Phase 1 of the Community Hub.


In March 2023, the Township was notified that they were successful in a grant application for the Enabling Accessibility Fund, in the amount of $80,108.25. This funding supports planned accessibility upgrades within the Community Hub.


On Sept. 5, 2023, Kingston City Council voted to contribute $6.5 million to help build the new aquatics facility, as part of a partnership with Loyalist Township to provide expanded programming access to Kingston residents.


In addition to the funding and partnerships detailed above, the Township opened up an Expression of Interest (EOI) and connected with local organizations and businesses to gauge interest in potential naming and sponsorship rights for facilities within the new W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre. Naming rights being explored include:

  • The new proposed aquatics area of the facility
  • The existing arena area of the facility
  • The new proposed accessible "sky box" viewing areas
  • Multi-purpose rooms
  • The "Social Heart" gathering area of the facility
  • And more


Additional sources of funding and community fundraising opportunities will be explored should the project move forward.  

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