The Town of Perth and three municipal partners are preparing to pursue provincial funding for a proposed regional recreation facility that would replace the town’s aging indoor pool and arena.
Perth, Drummond/North Elmsley, Tay Valley and Lanark Highlands have been discussing the project and are now considering a joint application to the reopened Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, or CSRIF.
The proposed facility would include a new indoor pool and double-pad arena, serving residents across the four municipalities and the broader region.
Perth would act as the lead municipality and coordinate the funding application, with a deadline of December 22nd, 2026. Staff say significant work needs to begin immediately to develop a competitive application. That includes hiring a grant-writing consultant, preparing a comprehensive business plan, developing financial models, examining ownership and governance options, advancing facility design and Class C costing, and undertaking community and stakeholder engagement.
The four municipalities have already committed funding toward a feasibility study. Staff are recommending that money instead be used to develop the business plan, which would examine potential operating models, costs, programming, utilization and how responsibilities could be shared. The project also provides an opportunity to incorporate energy-efficient technology, including heat recovery from arena refrigeration systems that could potentially be used to heat pool water or the building.
Perth officials say discussions with provincial representatives at the recent AMO conference were encouraging, but no funding commitment has been made.
Staff emphasize that proceeding with the application does not commit Perth or its partners to building or funding the facility. Future decisions on construction, costs, governance and operations would come back to council once more information is available.
Story by Brian Turner
