About the project

The W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre has served the local and surrounding community for over 40 years.

During a Special Council Meeting held on November 9, 2023, Loyalist Township Council endorsed the renewal of the W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre which will include the construction of a new aquatic facility.

The scope of work includes:

  • The construction of a new aquatic facility comprising of an 8-lane, 25 metre pool as well as a separate warm-water leisure pool;
  • Undertaking accessibility upgrades throughout the existing facility, including the addition of a lift, accessible change rooms, and barrier-free viewing areas;
  • Installing new aquatic change rooms, including the creation of a family change room;
  • Incorporating new Indigenous Legacy Space, in collaboration with the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund;
  • Incorporating energy conservation measures throughout the facility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with its operations;
  • Designing the building to be Net-Zero ready, meaning that the amount of energy needed to operate the building in a given year can be produced directly on site in the future, typically through the use of solar panels;
  • Keeping the building operational during construction and minimizing facility and programming downtime.

Construction Access Route

Aerial view of WJ Henderson Recreation Centre

FAQ

We are waiting to ensure that we are able to provide a full level of customer service before starting programming, we do not have a start date as of yet.

Currently the date is scheduled for January 2026.

As we continue through construction, we are committed to our local clubs by ensuring there is no disruption to their programming. As such we are reopening portions of the upper level to facilitate game access for user groups but will be returning to lower access for facility rentals afterwards. The concessions remain closed while we’re putting the finishing touches on the construction of this space.

We now have a rentable space with tables and chairs. This space can be divided into smaller spaces if needed.

The facility includes several accessibility features to enhance the experience for all visitors. A viewing platform is available to provide better visibility and comfort. There is a universal and barrier-free washroom to ensure ease of access for everyone. Additionally, handrails are installed in the stands for added safety and support. While a lift is planned to be added later this year, these current features ensure that the space is more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience.

The dressing rooms will get their permanent skate matting this fall, the arena will be in the summer of 2025.

The hallway is a narrow space and for safety reasons there can be no loitering.

We have our availability on our website for the arena and community rooms.

Memorabilia was carefully removed and preserved before the construction. Throughout this process, clubs and user groups have been actively involved and will continue to be the stewards of these cherished pieces. Loyalist Township values the achievements of the teams and clubs that have proudly represented our community, and we want to continue to celebrate sport in an organized fashion. As construction continues on the W.J Henderson Recreation Centre, a community working group will create a sports memorabilia policy and review the current Loyalist Athletic Wall of Fame Policy with both being brought forward to Township Council.

We are also excited to share we are adding a new memorabilia feature that will be introduced as part of the Recreation Centre’s renewal. Your support and patience mean a lot to us as we work to enhance our community space.

  • New boards,
  • pad
  • glass
  • benches
  • matting
  • refrigeration equipment.
  • Change room upgrades
  • Officials room
  • Digital Screens
  • Additional change rooms
  • Accessible features
    • Viewing platform
    • Universal and barrier-free washroom
    • Lift- later this year
    • Hand rails in stands

Community growth, combined with aging infrastructure, has prompted the need to renovate recreation facilities at the W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre to meet the levels of service that are expected by the community.

There are a number of ways to stay involved with the renewal of the W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre.

  1. Click on the follow button on the header at the top of this page
  2. Follow Township social media posts on Facebook, Instagram and X/Twitter
  3. Support the fundraising campaign by making a donation

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