Township acquires land for future parks and recreation

CENTRE WELLINGTON – The Township of Centre Wellington Council is excited to announce that approximately 90 acres of land have been purchased by the Township adjacent to the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex in Fergus at a purchase price of $4.8 million.  The acquisition of the property at 8055 Wellington Road 18 is a significant and welcome addition to our community. This land will serve as future parkland and facilitate the expansion of the sportsplex property, creating more space for recreation, events, and community activities. This strategic purchase will enhance our ability to offer diverse recreational opportunities and meet the growing needs of Centre Wellington residents.

The 2018 Parks and Recreation Master Plan highlighted the need for a total of approximately 300 acres of parkland by 2028.  At the time of the plan’s creation, our inventory of parkland stood at roughly 240 acres with an additional 17 acres added since, primarily through ongoing development. However, as our community continues to grow, the need for more parkland will extend beyond 2028 to accommodate projected Township growth through 2051 and beyond. Ensuring we meet these future needs is essential for maintaining the quality of life and recreational opportunities for all residents.

The timing of this purchase is ideal, aligning with the launch of the 2024 Parks and Recreation Master Plan project. This plan, now underway, will outline Centre Wellington's parks and recreation needs for the next 30 years. We encourage the community to actively participate in this project over the next 18 months, as your input will be crucial in shaping the future of our recreational spaces and ensuring they meet the evolving needs of our residents.

“This land purchase is incredible news for Centre Wellington,” said Mayor Watters.  “The newly acquired parcel offers a diverse landscape, suitable for creative development into spaces for both active and passive recreation. The expansion of the sportsplex property from 64 acres to over 150 acres will unlock numerous opportunities for festivals, sporting events, and community gatherings in the future. A heartfelt thank you to our staff for securing this remarkable property and for their vision in enhancing our community’s recreational assets.”

“Expanding parkland to the adjacent lands to the Centre Wellington Sportsplex creates the opportunity for much-needed Township-wide parkland for the future”, said Pat Newson, Managing Director of Community Services.  “Event space, passive parkland space, sports fields and courts will all be needed as our community grows.  Connecting to existing infrastructure creates a unique and exciting opportunity for Centre Wellington Parks and Recreation.”