Ottawa secures provincial investment for sport and recreation
Posted Oct 13, 2025 02:57:14 PM.
Last Updated Oct 14, 2025 12:20:30 PM.
The Ontario government has announced the investment of $8 million to upgrade the Alexander Community Centre in Carlington.
The project, part of the $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), aimed at promoting healthy living, will include the construction of a new gymnasium, three times larger than the current one.
The nearly 6,250 square foot gym will include spaces for basketball, pickleball, volleyball and other sports. Meanwhile, the current gym will be used for cultural, fitness and recreation activities.
“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 press release. “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 says the construction will double the centre’s capacity allowing it to host 100,000 people annually.
Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he was pleased with the investment in the city’s fitness infrastrucutre.
“This new gym will make a huge difference for the families who live here and for the entire community,” he said. “It’s about creating more opportunities for people of all ages to stay active, healthy, and connected. I’m excited to see the impact this project will have for years to come.”
The CSRIF is part of the province’s plan to protect Ontario workers. Sport contributes more than $7.5 billion to Ontario’s economy every year.
