The refurbished Shallow Lake and District Community Centre will have its grand re-opening today.
Georgian Bluffs Councillor Ryan Thompson — the chair of the recreation committee — says they have a big ceremony planned.
Thompson says the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack and the Shallow Lake Crushers Senior A hockey club will both be part of the opening ceremonies.
The Attack will have practice from 4 PM to 6 PM and the Crushers will be on hand after 6 PM for a public skate.
A ribbon-cutting will take place at 7:15 PM with Georgian Bluffs Mayor Alan Barfoot, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch and MP Larry Miller.
Tours of the renovated facility will also be conducted from 6:45 PM to 8 PM.
Thompson notes about one million dollars worth of work has been completed at the community centre.
The work included expanded viewing of the ice surface, three new and larger dressing rooms, more storage, energy efficiency upgrades and accessibility improvements.
The township’s share of the cost is about 270 thousand dollars.
A local fundraising initiative is working to raise another 100 thousand — and the balance, about 660 thousand, is being paid by the federal and provincial governments.
Thompson says the project has gone smoothly with no delays.
He’s also satisfied at the level of consultation with and feedback from the community along the way.
This is one of five infrastructure projects Georgian Bluffs has undertaken in recent months — worth a total of more than 5.6 million dollars.
All five have been or will be completed on time.
The municipal cost of all the projects is 1.6 million, and this amount is being funded with no direct impact on the tax rate.
