Ottawa Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government is investing more than $8 million to upgrade Ottawa’s Alexander Community Centre, a project that includes the construction of a new gymnasium three times larger than the current one.
The funding, announced on Monday (Oct. 6), is part of the province’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), an initiative designed to revitalize local facilities and promote healthy living across Ontario.
“Our government is proud to support municipalities like Ottawa with building the infrastructure needed to keep people of all ages active and healthy,” Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport, said in a statement. “This investment in the Alexander Community Centre is about more than just bricks and mortar – it’s about protecting jobs, strengthening communities and building a more resilient and self-reliant economy for the future.”
The government’s investment will support the construction of a new 6,243-sq. ft. gymnasium for sports including basketball, pickleball, and volleyball. The existing gym will be transformed into a multi-purpose space for cultural, fitness, and recreational activities.
Officials say the construction project will double the community centre’s capacity, allowing it to host more than 100,000 people annually and increase access to after-school programming and seasonal camps. The new building will also feature expanded gathering areas, upgraded washrooms, and improved IT infrastructure.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe thanked the provincial government for the investment in the city.
“This new gym will make a huge difference for the families who live here and for the entire community,” Sutcliffe said. “It’s about creating more opportunities for people of all ages to stay active, healthy, and connected.”
Local officials also welcomed the news. River Ward City Councillor Riley Brockington said the funding helps turn the “much-needed expansion… from a hope to a reality.” He noted it will allow residents to stay active in their community with more fitness offerings and provide more space for local residents to connect.
“Investments like this one… show how our government is committed to strengthening communities across Ontario,” said Stéphane Sarrazin, MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. “This investment also protects good local jobs, ensuring stability for workers and families in our region.”
The CSRIF is an application-based program that supports municipalities, Indigenous communities, and non-profit organizations through two streams: one for repairing existing facilities and another for building new infrastructure.
Construction is expected to commence next spring.