Regional recreation facility planning moves to next phase, focused on costs, funding opportunities and future development options
Smiths Falls council has approved a $245,000 consulting contract to advance planning for a potential regional recreation facility, while acknowledging that questions remain about the eventual cost of the project.
During its June 8 committee of the whole meeting, council agreed to authorize the mayor and clerk to execute an agreement with Nustadia Recreation Inc. to provide consulting services associated with the Regional Recreation Facility Development project.
The contract falls within the town’s approved 2026 capital budget, which allocated $250,000 for this phase of the initiative.
“This phase of work is intended to move the project from concept to procurement readiness by refining the facility program, developing concept plans, preparing capital and operating costing models, and identifying funding opportunities importantly, as well as establishing a future procurement strategy,” Director of Community Services Stephanie Clark told council.
The project stems from a 2024 feasibility study that examined the future of Smiths Falls’ recreation infrastructure, particularly the town’s aging youth arena. The study also identified a growing demand for indoor recreation, sport and community gathering spaces within Smiths Falls and the surrounding region.
The next phase of work will focus on refining the proposed facility program, developing concept plans, preparing capital and operating budgets, identifying funding opportunities and establishing a future procurement strategy. The work is expected to culminate in a council-ready report outlining recommendations for the project’s next steps.
The town received three submissions through a competitive request for proposals process. One proponent failed to achieve the minimum technical score required to proceed to the financial evaluation stage.
Of the two remaining submissions, Nustadia Recreation received the highest overall score, earning 119.25 out of 130 points compared with Provencher Roy’s 113.10.
While Provencher Roy submitted the lower-priced proposal at $217,529, staff recommended Nustadia’s $245,000 bid based on its specialized experience with recreation and sport infrastructure projects.
According to Clark’s report, Nustadia demonstrated expertise in the planning and development of arenas, field houses, recreation centres and regional sport facilities. The company also previously completed recreation-related work for the Town of Smiths Falls, giving it familiarity with the municipality’s existing facilities and long-term objectives.
Coun. Peter McKenna said he supported continuing the planning process but expressed concern about the potential cost of any future recreation facility.
“It’s the price tag that makes me nervous,” McKenna said.
He urged staff to explore options that would allow the project to be phased in over time rather than requiring council to commit to a single large-scale undertaking.
“I don’t want all or nothing,” he said.
Clark agreed that flexibility would be important as the project evolves.
“It’s a lot of money that we’re talking about,” she said, noting that recreation infrastructure is intended to serve communities for decades.
“We’re also talking about a 50-year horizon in terms of recreational infrastructure.”
Clark said the planning process would also explore potential federal and provincial funding opportunities, along with community fundraising strategies. Nustadia’s proposal includes working with fundraising experts to help identify ways to support future recreation investments.
Coun. Jay Brennan said the planning work is necessary if the town hopes to eventually move the project forward.
“It’ll never, ever, ever happen if we don’t start doing some work on it,” Brennan said.
Clark emphasized that council has not approved the construction of a new arena, field house or regional recreation facility.
“It isn’t an all-or-nothing tomorrow sort of situation,” she said.
While the $245,000 consulting contract is funded through the town’s existing 2026 capital budget, the ultimate cost of constructing a regional recreation facility remains uncertain. Estimates presented during the town’s 2024 feasibility study placed the cost of a new arena and field house at approximately $49 million. Clark acknowledged that updated figures are expected to be higher due to rising construction costs.
The planning process approved by council is expected to provide revised cost estimates, identify potential grant opportunities and explore phasing options before any future decisions are made about whether to proceed with construction.
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The price tag should make us nervous .