CORKERY – Timelines hit a speedbump with the onset of a global pandemic, but the next step in the Corkery Community Centre expansion and renovation project is finally here.

City staff released the concept plans for the badly needed renovation project yesterday (Dec. 10) and are looking for input for the community on the suggested designs.

“The concept plans including site plan, proposed floor plan and exterior views, are now posted on the city’s website, Engage Ottawa for public feedback from Dec. 10 to Dec. 24,” City of Ottawa Parks and Facilities planner Donna Williams wrote in a Dec. 10 email obtained by West Carleton Online. “Please get the word out to your community the plans are now available online for review and comment.”

The project was first announced March 12 at the Corkery Community Association’s (CCA) 2019 annual general meeting.

It is a roughly $1.5 million project, part of the 2020 City of Ottawa budget, that will add a new building to the existing community centre. The community has outgrown the existing building, which is so small, it is even a challenge to generate rental revenue for the CCA.

Throughout the process, the CCA formed a special project committee to work with the city and submitted a ‘wish list’ last March of what they wanted included in the project including a 2,400 to 2,500-square-foot hall and 400-sq-ft kitchen.

The CCA was supposed to receive design plans earlier in summer but the process was delayed.

CCA President Katherine Woodward was pretty excited when Williams’ email came in earlier this week, confirmation the project is moving forward.

“Absolutely,” Woodward told West Carleton Online today (Dec. 11). “We’ve been waiting for a while to show everyone what we’ve been working on. We’re excited to see what everyone thinks.”

For Woodward, she likes what she sees in the plans.

“They met all our criteria,” she said. “There’s a large space for fitness. I’m really loving the covered porch at the playground, shade was something many parents said was needed. Programming during the outdoor skating season has always been an issue, so they’ve separated that, so that’s amazing.”

The city will take feedback for the rest of the month, and Woodward says staff are also doing some costing. Following the feedback phase, the city will hire a contract to make the design plans, so now’s the time to have your say.

“We want your feedback on renovations to the Corkery Community Centre in Carrol Homestead Park in West Carleton-March Ward,” city staff released in a statement. “The city plans to build a new accessible addition to accommodate group activities for children and adults, including day camps, events and meetings. The addition would have accessible washrooms, a vestibule, two multi-purpose rooms, a kitchenette and storage rooms.”

To see the full design plan proposed by the city and CSV Architects, click on one of the links below based on your preferred official language of choice. To submit feedback, you must register with Engage Ottawa.

https://engage.ottawa.ca/corkery-community-centre

https://participons.ottawa.ca/centre-communautaire-de-corkery