People are invited to come to planning sessions in Dundalk and Holstein to hear about plans for recreation.
Southgate wants to share its recreation programming plans and capital projects. These are based on the recreation master plan, and respond to resident survey results.
Recreation manager Kevin Green presented his plans in April and got council approval take them to open houses on Monday, May 11 in Dundalk and Tuesday, May 12 in Holstein.
These will include sharing about 2026 approved projects, with sport flooring for upstairs at the arena, beginning work on creating outdoor sports fields and a look at parks and playgrounds.
There’s also been an approved second position in recreation for programming, allowing more activities to be offered.
While a survey on recreation has been completed, and Mr. Green plans to report back on the results, there will also be a chance to express your views on what is needed. Present Program Co-ordinator Ethan Henry will also be available.
Programs in development listed in the programming plan include flag football, indoor tennis in Dundalk in the spring and fall seasons and adult soccer. An environmental camp is in development for the summer of 2027 in Holstein. Special canoe and kayak days in the park there are also being considered.
A proposed capital project in 2028 is a splash pad in Memorial Park.
Along with new ideas and programs, Mr. Green was speaking about changes that could lessen demand in some local sports.
One of these is the trend to sports academies. In hockey, the dropping of residency rules is affecting more rural centres, as parents drive promising athletes elsewhere.
He suggested there is a trend to regional centres, with rebuilding a community centre possibly costing $30 million. The five-year structural inspection of the present Dundalk Community Centre is due this year.
The plans also include longer term ideas which are at the “vision” stage, such as removing the ball diamond from Memorial Park in favour of tennis courts and in the winter an outdoor skating rink.
The plans foresee a decision by 2030 on the future of the Dundalk Community Centre.
The full series of reports on the April 2 agenda include the state of capital repair of each facility and the number of participants in all programs.
By M.T. Fernandes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on May 07, 2026 at 12:25
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