The City of North Bay is getting a funding boost from the federal government that should see construction of a new community recreation centre.

MP Anthony Rota announced on June 11 that the city would receive $25.77 million in funding from the federal government to build the facility at the Steve Omischl Sports Complex. The facility will replace the current West Ferris Arena.

"The funding will help with the costs of the architecture and engineering design, construction and commissioning of a net-zero-carbon fully-accessible 85,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose community and recreation centre," Rota said. "It includes two ice pads, a walking track and multi-use meeting space. The project is expected to be tendered in the near future, pending the approval of North Bay City Council."

The funding is coming from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Communities, through its $1.5-billion federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program.

If everything goes according to plan, construction on the building should start next spring. The construction schedule is estimated at two years.

Less certain is what the new facility will cost to build. The city set last estimated as much as $52 million for construction, but that was in December 2020. Construction prices have soared since.

The request for proposals for the project won’t be issued until the end of this year, which means that control over the project will be in the hands of the city’s next elected council.

The Ontario government denied the city's application for funding.

"The project will benefit over 75,000 people in the region, including those in North Bay and the surrounding municipalities of Nipissing-Timiskaming," Rota said.

Tourism in the area is expected to benefit from the sporting events, conferences and trade shows and other events held at the facility once it is built, he added.

"With approximately 345,000 visits per year, our arenas are the most-used recreational assets in our community," said North Bay Mayor Al McDonald. "This new, modern, net-zero-carbon and fully-accessible facility will benefit the entire community by providing enhanced recreational opportunities and contributing to the overall health and social well-being of our residents for the next 50 years."

The new facility will include 14 barrier-free change rooms, transit stops, a community patio-veranda and 433 parking spaces.