…and perhaps a pool
To the Expositor:
When a group of Manitoulin citizens met in 2022 to explore innovative solutions, one of the presented ideas was of a multi-purpose recreational complex. It concluded the best geographical location will be at Manitoulin Secondary School for the following reasons:
The Rainbow District School board will be able to utilize the facility by offering multiple programs to students during their school day;
It is midway between both hospitals, with M’Chigeeng Physio close by, making it ideal to offer additional active healing services, particularly for an aging population;
It is a central access point for a majority of communities: M’Chigeeng, Gore Bay, Kagawong, and Mindemoya are closest, with Providence Bay, Spring Bay, Tehkummah, Sandfield, Aundeck Omni Kaning, and Little Current not too far away. MSS already serves students from Sheguiandah and Manitowaning as well the communities located at Manitoulin’s West End;
Sharing the capital and operating costs across the largest population possible minimizes the tax burden this type of facility doubtlessly generates; and a new recreational complex is likely to attract and retain professionals and young families, and will serve Manitoulin’s aging population.
Strong partnerships that make financial sense are looked upon favourably by funders in initial capital grant applications. Collaboration across multiple communities will offset cost pressures to each, and the ability to shoulder short and long term costs increases once they are shared. MSS may be willing to take on an in-kind custodial and administrative role, and the Municipalities could carry their share of costs without neglecting other priorities. Crucially, a shared facility serves our population more efficiently than individual complexes, at a fraction of the tax price.
In 2025, Gore Bay tried to obtain partners for a community arena, unfortunately without success. Central Manitoulin received its final recreational infrastructure review report in November 2025. That report estimates a new arena complex cost of $68.3 million! Financially, the Municipality of Central Manitoulin currently lacks the 10 percent or $6.83 million needed for a grant configuration of 90 percent funding for a “new Multi-Use Recreation Facility with multipurpose spaces.” The report states that Central may have to sell off/divest its community halls and arenas before any grant applications can be considered. The report cites annual overhead costs of $300,000, staff salaries not included. This exceeds the current combined cost of the two existing arenas. Furthermore, the report shows that Central has 1,050 households with a median age of 58.4 years old. Central’s population grew by 277 persons to 2,235 persons from 2011 to 2021, 98 percent of whom were 65+ years old. The average population an arena serves is around 10,000 people. Central’s anticipated growth by 2045 is only 2,816 people. Funders are well aware of these facts and limitations.
Sharing a facility that teenagers can make use of all year, every day alongside Manitoulin as whole, makes good sense for everyone.
Maja Mielonen
Mindemoya
