Health & Fitness

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The hole is dug and work has already begun on the new gymnasium project being added to the Davidson Centre in Kincardine.

A "ceremonial" ground-breaking was held Wednesday (June 30) to update the media on the project and take some photos of the site.

The $3-million project, which received two-thirds funding from the federal and provincial governments, includes a new full-size gym, a warm viewing area for the arena, dressing rooms and change rooms, and an indoor walking/running track.

Andy Burgess, chairman of the recreation revitalization committee, said the project is a plus for Kincardine. "People coming here to work want to know what we have," he said. "What they'll find is a full recreational facility, an ice surface, fitness room, etc., all promoting good health and recreation."

Andy Burgess discusses the proposed Davidson Centre parking as outlined in the diagram behind him

He said the contractors, Henderson Builders of Sarnia, are on site and have dug out the area where the new gym addition will be located. Therefore, the main entrance to the Davidson Centre is closed and people must access the arena and pool through the entrance to the fitness area and meeting rooms.

"The contractors are working with us to make this project run as smoothly as possible," said Burgess. "That's a good sign. We have to keep things moving to meet the deadline (March, 2011)."

He said there is a funding shortfall of about $400,000. Corporate donations have been received and now the committee is moving into its public funding campaign to raise the rest. This will be used for such items as pull-out bleachers, and equipment for various sports in the gym.

A golf tournament is slated for July 21 at Ainsdale Golf Course, with a 1 p.m. start. And a beach dance is slated for July 31, featuring local bands Moe 'N the Lawn and CrazyMaker. Further events will be held after the project is completed.

There is also a pledge form available at the recreation office, or you can check out the Facebook site by typing in "Davidson Centre addition 2010."

While the project is ongoing, there will be additional parking available at the back (west side) of the Davidson Centre. Once the project is complete, new parking will extend toward the water tower.

Rob Borth of Henderson Builders runs the crane during drainage work at the site of the new gym

Mike O'Hagan, site supervisor with Henderson Builders, said the company has been on-site since mid-June, and was working on drainage and water services last week. Workers will get the building boxed in before the weather turns cold, likely by mid-September, and then finish the inside over the winter, he said.

"We're confident we can meet the Feb. 28, 2011, deadline," he said, "as long as we don't get as much rain as we have in the past few days."

The new entrance will face south, with the lobby angling into the arena to one side and the new gym on the other, said O'Hagan. The gym will be on the same elevation as the arena, and the indoor running track will line up with the concrete ramp on the second floor of the existing building.

He said the steel will be removed from the outside of the current structure and windows will be installed for the viewing area. The lobby will have a textured floor for accessibility purposes.

O'Hagan is utilizing several local contractors from Kincardine and Walkerton.

Henderson Builders has done a few recreational facilities, he said, but he is relatively new at it.

His most recent projects were the biodiversity plant in Sarnia, and renovations at Clinton High School and F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham.

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Sunday, July 04, 2010