Sylvan Lakers anticipate new multiplex

For a town whose residents embrace the summer life, Sylvan Lakers appear to be very much behind the new multiplex destined for their community.

The plans have been in the works for about a year and with the community into a growing phase right now, the timing couldn’t be better.

“So we’ve had volunteers in place for both design and fundraising for the multiplex that will encompass hockey, curling, a seniors’ centre, a civic events centre, a children’s play space and if we’re able to work it right we will loop in the pool,” said Sean McIntyre, Sylvan Lake mayor.

The fundraising aspect of this venture was given a massive boost when local company Nexsource jumped to the front by cutting a cheque for $500,000 to be granted the naming rights to the new centre piece.

“The facility is going to be named the Nexsource Centre,” said McIntyre. “A local company that has stepped up and said ‘we believe in this community so much we are here to put our money where our mouth is.’”

The cost of the building is still to be determined but McIntyre said the Town is prepared financially for the price tag and will make sure the burden is as light as possible for the taxpayer.

In the end, it will be a place which will benefit current and future generations in the area of recreation.

“We’re making decisions today that we need to make sure also make sense in 30 years,” he said. “If we’re creating standalone facilities they would all have their own lobby, their own bathroom, their own change rooms, their own kitchen facilities. By putting everything under one roof we’re saving tax dollars today and as time moves on we’re saving maintenance dollars for the future.”

The recent Hockeyville win for the Town will help but the call to action in order to get the votes to win has seemingly created a groundswell of community support for projects which benefits a vast majority of the population.

“Now with the donation from Nexsource, others are coming with sponsorship and donations for this new facility,” said McIntyre. “It’s incredible to see the Town come together like this and for someone who has grown up here it’s amazing to see my hometown come together and volunteer to contribute to something that is going to benefit everyone.”

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