Lewis Farms rec centre finally gets nod from Edmonton city council

Two major recreation centres in Edmonton are closer to becoming bricks and mortar after city council approved fundingin its budget deliberations Tuesday.

Council agreed to fund $283 million for the long-envisioned Lewis Farms rec centre, after a motion from Andrew Knack, Ward Nakota Isga councillor.

Council also voted toincrease the budget for the Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre

"They are gaps that exist in our city today that need to be filled," Knack said during the meeting Tuesday.

"Our pools are oversubscribed across the entire city," Knack said. "The minute programs open up, they are booked within hours and that's because there isn't enough space."

Single-sheet ice rinks across thecity are set to be retired soon, he said, so the arenas at Lewis Farms will fill that need as well.

Council voted 12-1 to approve the funding for Lewis Farms, with Coun. Michael Janzthe lone voteagainst.

Construction begins next year on the project, which is slated to be complete by 2026.

Lewis Farms had been delayed in previous years, as council tried to hold downtax hikes.

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Knack's motion forthe capital funding removed anacademic centre partof the project, which once had the cost pegged at $321 million.

The funding will come from the city's debt load.

"I know the cost is high," Knack told council. "This project is ready to build so the longer we take, the more it drives up the cost."

Sarah Hamilton, councillorfor Wardsipiwiyiniwak,spoke in favour of the projects, noting that Lewis Farms is more than a sports facility it includes a library, a district park and multipurpose rooms for community groups.

"The opportunitiesfor everything from substance use-disorder support groups to child care within a community these are the kinds of things that we take for granted that having a public facility provides."

Council approved a $41-million increase in the budget for theCoronation Park Sports and Recreation Centreat 114th Avenue and 142nd Street.

Coronation is estimated to cost $153 million, up from the original $112 million budget in 2014.

Erin Rutherford, councillor for Ward Anirniq, said the community has been waiting for the recreation centre for years and will presentmany opportunities for youth.

"People will be wanting to reconnect with their community, wanting to be out and hopefully in the back end of this pandemic and into recovery," Rutherford said. "And recreation facilities like this are going to be essential to that process."

The Coronation project includes a world-class velodrome that's expected to attract international sports events.

"In the economic landscape we're in, many might see recreation facilities as frivolous," Rutherford said. "But I want to be clear that, to me,one of the reasons that I support this specific project is because I see there is both an economic and social benefit."

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Councillors proposed some 50 motions at the budget meeting Tuesday involving reallocation of millions of dollars.

Dozens of programs and projects for 2022 may be altered by the end of the week as councilmakechanges to next year's operating and capital budgets.

Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette proposed freezing the the adult cash fare for transitat $3.50 instead of raising it to $4,which would cost $3.5 million in transit revenues.

Janz put forward a motion to reduce the Edmonton Police Service budget by $11.9 million the allotted increase in the EPS 2022 budget.

He suggested themoney be reallocated to initiatives on addressing homelessness, community safety, social services and response programs.

Council is slated to continue debating and voting on motions Tuesday night and the remainder of the week before finalizing next year's budgets on Friday.

@natashariebe