The project’s drivers – the Huron Shores Optimists – say it would place a financial burden on the club

Heather Wright/The Independent

The Huron Shores Optimist and the Town of Plympton-Wyoming say they will be working together on a recreation project in Camlachie, but it won’t be the $2.3 million outdoor arena project.

The Optimist floated the idea of an outdoor rink in Camlachie in 2021. It’s cost has grown from $400,000 to an estimated cost of $2.3 million today.

In the last few months, the service club has expressed frustration over the slow process of approving the facility. Councillors reiterated while the Optimists are enthusiastic to begin and the project is a good one, they have to be concerned about taxpayers cash.

Recently, the town applied for a grant from the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, which would pay for half of the cost.

April 9, council agreed to also look for more cash from the Judith and Norman Alix Foundation. It purpose is to contribute to capital projects across Lambton.

Adam Sobanski, Chief Administrative Officer of Plympton-Wyoming, says the Huron Shores Optimist recently met with town officials and other communities which had received funding from the Alix Foundation to talk about the possibilities.

The group decided the town should apply for a multi-year, $500,000 grant for the outdoor rink. That would leave the service club to raise the remaining $500,000. It already has about $100,000 set aside.

Thursday morning, the town issued a news release saying the Optimist have now decided to step away from the project. “The board of directors felt that the scope of the project would place a financial burden on the club in the long-term future and therefore withdrew their support for the project,” the town and Optimist Club said in a joint statement.

“The board unanimously reaffirmed their commitment to working with the Town of Plympton-Wyoming to improve recreational opportunities in the Camlachie area by investing in a future recreation project together.”

The town and the Huron Shores Optimist plan to work with other community groups to select a plan for a future recreation infrastructure project in the Camlachie area. Plympton-Wyoming will be working on a Parks and Recreation Master plan this year and hopes the club and members of the community will be involved “to ensure that future projects meet the needs of the community both now and in the future.”