Groundbreaking Ceremony at the Recreation Complex
The Township of Russell marked a significant milestone in its history with the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Russell Township Recreation Complex. The event took place on September 17, 2024, with members of Parliament, key stakeholders, Township staff, and residents in attendance to witness the beginning of this transformative $100 million project.
The future Recreation Complex will serve as the community hub for recreation and culture for our growing community and surrounding areas. The Township of Russell has been working on the project since the 2015 Recreation Master Plan, which identified an interest for this type of multi-use facility.
The location of this complex will be between Embrun and Russell on the land adjacent to the sports dome.
The recreation centre is taking shape! We're happy to share this video flythrough showing the exciting amenities this new, state-of-the-art facility has to offer.
This visualization highlights the community hall, the rinks, and the pool, with special attention to the flexible, inclusive village of dressing rooms where sports will be for everyone.
The construction documents are about 75% complete. We'll have one final design update ready for Council at the end of March, targeting a construction start of June 2024.
Facility Features
Ice Rinks
- 3 rinks (replacing the 2 rinks in Embrun and Russell, giving us more ice time with a 3rd surface)
- Spectator capacity
- Rink 1: 250 seats + 150 standing room = 400
- Rink 2: 125 seats + 30 standing room = 155
- Rink 3: 117 seats + 80 standing room = 197
- 12 change rooms
- Can accommodate 20 adult hockey players (Junior B) with 2.5 feet of bench space for each player
- Can accommodate 23-24 players with 2 feet of bench space for each player (typical of a community rink)
- Each change room includes: 1 toilet, 2 showers + 1 accessible shower, 1 gender neutral room (that includes a private shower)
- Warm-up room
- Accommodates Junior B groups and the possibility of tournaments
- Hockey, figure skating, public skating, ringette, etc.
Pool
- 25-metre, 6-lane indoor pool
- Leisure pool with water jets
- Dry sauna
- Host swim competitions – regional
- Universal changing room for accessibility and inclusion
- Year-round swimming lessons and swim time (creating local job opportunities)
Community Centre
- 10,000-square-foot community hall
- Divisible into 3 equal sections for simultaneous rentals and flexibility to accommodate various group sizes
- Kitchen
Community Hub
- The complex joins the existing sports dome, Jonathan Pitre Accessible Park, seniors' exercise facility, 2 basketball courts and 2 tennis courts
- Canteen
- Outdoor space
- Close to bike path
- Gender-neutral bathrooms for inclusivity
Due to technological limitations, the document may not be compatible with screen readers or other assistive technologies. If you need accessibility or communication support for these documents, please contact our Accessibility Coordinator.
Community Consultation
There are currently no open public participation opportunities for this project. If you have any other comments on recent opportunities, please email the Parks and Recreation Department. Subscribe to this page to stay informed about this project!
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Information Session - June 28, 2023 |
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We invite the community to an information session on Wednesday June 28th, 2023, between 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at City Hall (717 Notre-Dame Street, Embrun). During this time, residents can view plans of the approved 30% schematic design and ask questions to our staff and the project consultants. This is the opportunity as the future users of the Recreation Complex to learn more about this project, share your comments and have your voice heard. |
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Online Public Survey (Closed) |
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The public survey for the recreation complex is now closed. It was open from February 9 to March 14. We thank you for your participation. A link to the survey results summary is available in the May 3, 2021 Project Update. |
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Online Public Consultations (March 3 and 10, 2021) |
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Two public consultations were held by online participation. Meeting dates, times and languages are below.
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Live with Leroux: Online Q&A with the Mayor (February 24, 2021) |
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An online discussion took place on February 24, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Pierre Leroux and our consultants on the public consultation process for the recreation complex. Watch the recording of Live with Leroux from February 24, 2021. |
Timelines and Project Phases
The future recreation complex is planned in four phases.
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Project Initiation |
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This step is now complete. The project initiation phase is in 2020 and includes:
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Phase 1 – Design, Tender and Construction of Courts & Accessible Park |
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Phase 1 is now complete. Phase 1 will start in 2021 and includes the design and construction of:
These features are expected to be ready for late Fall 2021. This phase will also include the design for a snow hill, but this construction will happen a later date.
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Phase 2 - Functional Programming and Community Consultations |
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Phase 2 is now complete. Phase 2 will start in early 2021 for:
The most important part of Phase 2 will be engaging the community. We will meet with individual user groups and the public to include them in the project and address any concerns within the community. Once Council provides their direction and approval, we move onto design of the recreation site and facility in Phase 3. |
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Phase 3 - Design of Complex |
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Phase 3 will move forward with the components of the recreation facility Council approved at the end of Phase 2, after community consultation and technical environmental studies. Detailed design will start in 2022. |
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Phase 4 and Onward |
| Any future phases or additions to the site, such as soccer fields and ball fields, will follow a similar project structure that will include community engagement, cost estimates and Council approval. |
Project Updates
| Project Update: June 24, 2024 |
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We are thrilled to announce that we have reached a significant milestone in the development of our new Recreation Complex! After over six years of meticulous planning and preparation, we are excited to award the construction contract to McDonald Brothers Construction Inc. This project marks a pivotal step in creating a central hub for recreation in our community. The new Recreation Complex will serve as a vibrant gathering space, promoting physical activity and fostering community involvement. It has been designed to meet the diverse needs of our residents, offering state-of-the-art facilities that will cater to a variety of sports and recreational activities. This development is more than just a building project; it represents our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all community members. As shovels hit the ground next month, we look forward to seeing the vision of a dynamic recreational hub come to life. This complex will not only provide a space for physical activity but also serve as a focal point for community engagement and togetherness. Stay tuned for further updates as this exciting project progresses and join us in celebrating this milestone in our community’s growth and development. |
| Project Update: June 11, 2024 |
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Following last night’s Council meeting, the administration and Council members wish to thank residents who attended to show their support and to those involved in wanting the best possible recreation complex for our community. The tendering process for the recreation complex closes today, and bids will be public on the Bids & Tenders website as of 4:00 p.m. today. For more information on the recreational complex and the next steps, please read full article here. |
| Project Update: April 8, 2024 |
The update of the schematic concept for the Class A for the recreation complex was presented to Council at the April 8th, 2024, regular meeting. Following this meeting, these are the proposed next steps:
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| Project Update: November 9, 2023 |
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On November 9, staff presented report PR-16-2023 to Council which presented different conceptual options for the Recreation Complex. The Council voted in favour of Option E. Read the November 9, 2023 Press Release for more information on Council decisions. |
| Project Update: November 6, 2023 |
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On November 2, staff presented report PR-14-2023 to Council which included a presentation of the schematic designs at a class B (60%) for the Recreation Complex. Council received the report and following the closed session on the costing update have schedule a following special Council meeting for November 9, 2023 at 5:00p.m. to deliberate on the future of the recreation complex. Read the November 6, 2023 Press Release. |
| Project Update: May 15, 2023 |
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On May 8, 2023, staff presented report PR-07-2023 to Council which included an update of the presentation of the schematic design (30%) for the recreation complex. Council approved “The Village” schematic design plan. Public information sessions will be held before presenting an update of the schematic design at the 60% completion mark, in September 2023. Read the May 15, 2023 Press Release. |
| Project Update: December 6, 2022 |
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On December 5, 2022, staff presented report PR-19-2022 (Item 11a, pages 42 to 95) to Council which included Presentation of different options for the conceptual plan of the recreation complex. Council approved the conceptual plan "V3: Optimized + Rink 3", which will include 3 rinks, a 6-lane pool, a community hall and common areas, estimated at a cost of between $82.3M - $88.8M. |
| Project Update: September 9, 2022 |
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Council approved a project manager and design consultant for the Township of Russell’s Recreation Complex at the September 8, 2022, Special Council Meeting. Turner & Townsend will lead as Project Manager and MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects will lead as Design Consultants. Read the September 9, 2022 Press Release. |
| Project Update: April 4, 2022 |
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On April 4, 2022, staff presented report PR-07-2022 (Item 11g, pages 223 - 285) which included the proposed option for the layout and revised costs estimates for the main components. Council approved to proceed with the formal municipal request for proposal tender process for the conceptual design of the recreation complex per the proposed conceptual plan in the report. The design will include detailed drawings for the structure, façade, landscaping, lighting, heating, cooling, and other engineering elements. Read the April 19, 2022 Press Release. |
| Project Update: February 7, 2022 |
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On February 7, 2022, staff presented report PR-03-2022 which included the proposed option for the layout and revised costs estimates for the main components. Council approved that the proposed option estimates revisions for the capital costs for the main components of the pool, arenas, community hall and gymnasium, including the operational and maintenance costs, the lifecycle costs be carried out by Hanscomb. It was also confirmed that no further public consultations would be held before the concept design approval. |
| Project Update: December 6, 2021 |
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On December 6, 2021, staff presented report PR-24-2021 which included options, a financial plan, and a timeline moving forward for the recreation complex. At this stage, Council is considering a three-pad arena, eight-lane 25-meter pool, 7,500 square foot gymnasium, and a 7,500 square foot new community center. We are moving forward with the creation of a conceptual plan and budget for the retrofit of the Camille Piché Community Centre (Embrun) into the new Embrun library branch. Once that conceptual plan and budget is completed, staff will bring a report to Council for final approval. The project consultant will be working on a revised layout based on discussions at the December 6, 2021, Council meeting. The revised layout will be presented to Council in February 2022. The new Embrun library location and the recreation complex are now two distinct projects moving forward. Changes may still be made to the project budget or design. The project timeline currently plans for construction to begin in 2023 and the new recreation complex being operational in 2025. |
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Project Update: August 31, 2021 |
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On August 31, 2021, the administration and the project consultants presented report PR-16-2021 to Council which contained operational and construction pricing of different options. |
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Project Update: June 8, 2021 |
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On June 8, 2021, the administration and the project consultants presented report PR-11-2021 to Council. Watch the live meeting from June 8, 2021, 6 p.m. The report contains a project update and the presentation of two potential site plans. Council decided to proceed with the next step which will be a presented for pricing at a Special Council meeting in August. |
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Project Update: May 3, 2021 |
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On May 3, 2021, the administration and the project consultants presented report PR-04-2021 to Council. Watch the live meeting from May 3, 2021, 6 p.m. The report contains a project update, as well as the results from the online public survey, online public consultations, and user group consultations. View the project consultant's Presentation to Council for a summary of the results or for more detail, see Item #11 b) Recreation Complex Update (#2) - Report PR-04-2021 in the May 3, 2021, Council Agenda. Next Steps:
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Project Update: December 8, 2020 |
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On August 7, 2020, the Township received a response for the grant under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: Community, Culture and Recreation Stream. Our request was not accepted by the provincial government. Despite this refusal, the Township administration continues to work on this project and explore various options in order to continue planning for this future complex. |
| Project Update: August 7, 2020 |
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The Township received a negative response for the grant under the Invest in Canada Infrastructure Program: Community, Cultural and Recreational Component. Our application was not accepted by the provincial government. Despite this refusal, the administration continues to work on this project and to explore the various options in order to pursue the planning. |
| Project Update: November 8, 2019 |
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In August, the government announced a grant under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: Community, Culture and Recreation Stream, which offers the potential to cover up to 75% of new recreation project costs, up to $50 million in funding. On November 8th, the Township applied for this funding to cover a significant portion of costs for the Multi-Use Recreation Complex Project. To maximize the application, the facility proposed included all amenities possible from the consultant's report to Council. The grant must be approved in a two-tier application process; first to be approved at the provincial level and then at the federal level. The Township expects to receive a decision of approval from the Province in spring 2020, and a decision from the Federal government by the end of summer 2020. In either scenario, the results of the application will come to Council for discussion. In the scenario that the funding for the full recreation complex facility design is not approved, Council will discuss which features (arena, pool, etc.) will be prioritized for the project. Council will also explore public engagement opportunities before a decision is made. |
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Project Update: August 2019 |
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Colliers Group presented a high -level cost estimate for the future Multi-Use Recreational Center at the Special Council Meeting of August 20th 2019 (PR 24-2019). Their report consisted of different combinations of a twin -pad/triple -pad arena, auditorium and swimming pool. |
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Project Update: June 2019 |
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After the administration met with three separate firms to consult the Township on this project, Council approved for the administration to work with Colliers Group as per the administration's request (PR 16-2019). The administration will submit a new report in August 2019 to present next steps; timelines; different options/combinations of facilities; site plan; and financial strategy. |