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On May 5, 2026, staff provided an update to council on the design, budget and next steps. Staff provided revised drawings of the proposed facility and potential next steps.
At the meeting, staff were directed to create a fundraising plan with a set goal that the community can work towards with the understanding that once the goal is reached the project would proceed.
Proposed Grand Bend Community Centre (January 2025)
In January 2025, the Municipality of Lambton Shores shared a conceptual facility design for the proposed Grand Bend Community Centre. The proposed facility incorporated the recommendations from the Feasibility Study, which determined a justification for a Grand Bend Community Centre and identified key features that the facility should include.
The recommendations in the Feasibility Study were based on the robust public consultation that included:
The proposed facility is a two-story building with the main level consisting of:
The incorporation of the library allows for an intergenerational space that can be accessed by different age groups, while the small, private rooms can provide space for use by other agencies.
The upper level includes:
The exterior of the facility includes:
The proposed facility is located at 18 Municipal Drive, Grand Bend (Lion's Park). The property was strategically selected for several reasons:
The property currently houses a baseball diamond, pavilion, and an outdoor shuffleboard court that will need to be decommissioned to accommodate the facility and required parking. Demolition of the existing Grand Bend Art Centre will also be required to accommodate parking for the facility. This is expected to occur as a last step, which will provide time for consultation with the Art Centre on possible relocation.
It is important to note that there are some limitations on how the property can be developed. There is a floodplain that runs through the property, and approval for development within the floodplain is unlikely (and not recommended). The floodplain primarily surrounds the existing skate park area. The proposed facility has been designed in such a way that it falls outside of the floodplain area and preliminary meetings with ABCA staff have not identified any notable concerns.
Working with Skinner & Skinner Architects Ltd., a preliminary budget for the proposed Grand Bend Community Centre has been provided. Two options have been considered, with one option being a Net Zero facility and the other option without Net Zero Energy options:
Staff estimate an additional allowance of approximately $1,300,000 for items not included.
These costs are estimates only, as any construction work will need to be publicly tendered.
Preliminary planning and design for this project started so the Municipality could take advantage of a new provincial funding opportunity aimed at supporting new recreational facilities.
In 2025, Council authorized staff to complete an application to the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) to request $10 million to offset the total build cost.
Unfortunately, the Municipality was not successful with this application.
On May 5, 2026, staff provided an update to council on the design, budget and next steps. Staff provided revised drawings of the proposed facility and potential next steps.
At the meeting, staff were directed to create a fundraising plan with a set goal that the community can work towards with the understanding that once the goal is reached the project would proceed.
What was the Grand Bend Community Centre Committee of Council?
The Committee of Council for the Grand Bend Community Centre was launched by Council after a local group of community members presented a proposal to Council emphasizing the local interests and needs for a community centre in Grand Bend. The committee worked closely with a professional consulting firm to complete a feasibility study, and provided support with a comprehensive public consultation process. The committee also supported the completion of a needs assessment to determine the type of infrastructure required to meet community needs, and operational considerations including possible partnerships.
The committee consisted of three members of Council and three members of the public, with the Mayor acting as ex-officio. Staff were assigned to the committee as required for administrative and technical support but have no voting privileges.
Timeline and public engagement opportunities
The request for proposal closed on May 12, 2023. Upon closing, no submissions were received. However, one consultant, Monteith Brown Planning Consultants (MBPC) indicated that they did not provide a submission to the RFP due to the timing for the project completion but could complete the study if the committee is able to provide flexibility on the timing.
At the committee meeting, the committee awarded the project to MBPC with an anticipated start date in the fall of 2023, with project completion expected mid-2024.
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