A proposed $100 million addition to the 91原创 Events Centre got a green light from Township Council Monday June 26, with a majority voting to proceed with construction of a new building next to the LEC field house that will house multiple ice and dry floor arenas.

The decision to make the facility the first of several planned recreational projects to proceed to construction, followed a report to council by Jason Winslade, Township general manager for municipal administration, facilities and corporate projects.

Winslade said there would be 鈥渟ignificant advantages鈥� in cost savings and time, if the Township were to proceed with the entire project, 鈥渁s opposed to only design work now, and then awaiting a future approval and separate process for construction.鈥�

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The initial design being considered would build five arenas, three ice and two dry floor, capable of hosting multiple sports and dry floor activities, like ball hockey and lacrosse.

Mayor Eric Woodward called it 鈥渓ong overdue.鈥�

Funding for the project will include $23 million from the provincial Growing Communities Fund and $77 million from 鈥渋nternal reserves or other sources as determined by council,鈥� the motion said.

Among the councillors who spoke in support, Margaret Kunst said while she was concerned about 鈥渉ow we鈥檙e going to pay for it,鈥� there is a definite need for more playing spaces.

鈥淏all hockey people, lacrosse, [have been] really struggling with the fact they just didn鈥檛 have enough ice time for kids [and are] having to go to another community,鈥� Kunst commented.

Coun. Michael Pratt said the community is 鈥渃ritically short鈥� of space for lacrosse and ball hockey.

It was one of three major major recreational facilities in the Willoughby area promised by Woodward and his Contract with 91原创 slate, which won six of the nine seats on council in the recent elections. The others were a new indoor pool and community centre at Yorkson Community Park, and a new soccer campus in the Smith neighbourhood.

Council also approved a public event to celebrate the beginning of the project, potentially to be held in September or October at LEC.

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