First look at new West End community centre (6 photos)

Visitors got a sneak peek at the soon-to-be-built West End community centre during an open house last night at City Hall.

Representatives from the City and EPOH were on hand to answer questions about displayed architectural renderings of the new multi-use complex.

Franco Pastore, lead architect on the project, told SooToday.com that construction could begin as early as October of this year with a target completion date of November of 2011.

The project will be completed in three phases.

Only Phase 1 and Phase 2 are represented in the current project plans.

These include a replacement for the West End branch of the Sault Ste. Marie Library and two indoor turf surfaces intended for local athletic use.

Phase 3 would see the addition of regulation indoor ice rinks to the completed project as a replacement for the aging McMeeken Arena.

"Phase 3 is undefined at the moment," Pastore said. "It could include a single pad [of ice], it could include a double pad, and it could include community rooms and an indoor track. Programming for that will happen once the city prioritizes that particular project."

Nick Apostle, commissioner of community services, stated that once the community centre is complete, it would generate between 19 and 24 permanent jobs including full-time, part-time and seasonal positions.

The local soccer community, representing approximately 5,000 people, has been lobbying for the last 20 years for a designated indoor facility, Apostle said.

"When we did the business case with DBO Dunwoody, we had to have an anchor tenant. Soccer is that anchor," he explained. "They'll be the primary tenant with many other sports being able to take advantage of the facility, including lacrosse, football, golf, baseball, track and field, and Ultimate frisbee."

Apostle added that the state-of-the-art facility will enhance Sault Ste. Marie's already booming sports tourism sector, which currently brings millions of dollars to the city.

"This is truly a multi-purpose venue and it allows a lot more flexibility for Sault Ste. Marie to attract major events," he said. "Not only is it good for the local athletes, it's good for businesses, good for the community, and it will be a great component for our tourism market."