Sarnia city council to vote on immediate 3.5 million dollar funding agreement for BACE recreation campus

City staff are seeking immediate authorization to negotiate a formal disbursement framework for up to $3.5 million in capital funding allocated to the Sarnia BACE multi-sport complex. The upcoming vote establishes local accountability mechanisms for the community-driven project following a landmark multi-million dollar private land donation.

Sarnia City Council will vote on a motion to authorize staff to commence immediate negotiations on a funding disbursement agreement for up to $3.5 million with Sarnia BACE at its regular meeting on June 22, 2026.

The targeted allocation is designed to advance engineering, site preparation and initial capital works for the landmark multi-dome indoor and outdoor sports campus planned for Michigan Avenue.

The upcoming vote represents a key step for the community-driven project, shifting the city’s financial role from broad budgetary commitments to direct structural implementation.

During the intense 2026 budget deliberations, a six-to-three council majority voted to shelter the recreation campus from a mayoral veto, approving up to $4.1 million in borrowing costs to secure the city’s long-term financial commitment.

Local advocates welcome the political resolution, noting that the council majority effectively bypassed institutional barriers to address community demands that have stalled for more than 10 years.

Dr. Shamel Hosni, a structural engineer and Sarnia BACE advisory board member, emphasized that the decision of a majority on council to support the funding request was a “no-brainer” given the facility’s immense community potential.

The financial picture of the project was fundamentally altered when the family behind Curran Contractors Ltd. executed a landmark act of community philanthropy, donating 11 hectares of land near Blackwell Road valued at millions of dollars.

The massive real estate donation completely eliminated an initial municipal plan to allocate $600,000 annually over six years for land acquisition costs, allowing the municipality to redirect its resources toward immediate development and construction expenses.

The non-profit group behind Sarnia BACE — originally forged through a collaborative alliance between the Sarnia Lambton Pickleball Club, Sarnia Tennis Club, Bluewater Cycling Organization and Sarnia FC — has systematically resolved local site concerns.

The volunteer team completed 18 months of continuous environmental sampling at the former construction waste site and will submit its final reports to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for standard clearance.

A recent regional infrastructure market demand analysis revealed a stark recreation deficit across Sarnia-Lambton, noting that 87 per cent of local families identify a total lack of indoor multi-use facilities as the primary barrier to year-round athletic participation.

The geographic leakage of local sports clubs driving to London or Windsor for winter training facilities strips millions of dollars in tournament spending from the local service economy every season.

Beyond the municipal borrowing setup, the project has garnered powerful private-sector backing, locking in a combined $2 million in capital commitments from the Mike Weir Foundation and the Lockwood Foundation.

Dr. Hosni noted that the dedicated volunteer group effectively relieves council of the responsibility to drive the project forward, stating that “Sarnia BACE plans to deliver to the community a facility much superior to what was envisioned as part of the 2022 feasibility study at a fraction of the cost.”

Rima Rizkallah, an energy sector executive and fellow advisory board member, detailed the broader social mission of the multi-sport venue as a welcoming gathering place that strengthens relationships and promotes healthier lifestyles.

Rizkallah noted that the infrastructure is powered entirely by a deep local volunteer spirit, explaining that “we envision this facility becoming a vibrant, inclusive hub that supports an active community for all — offering flexible spaces and programs for different ages, interests and ability levels.”

The non-profit group has officially filed for full charitable and corporate tax-exempt status, and organizers do not anticipate any administrative delays as they move toward breaking ground.

The staff report presented to council notes that the agreement will establish precise performance targets, directing staff to commence negotiations of a funding agreement with Sarnia BACE for the disbursement of up to $3.5 million in 2026, based on the recommended terms outlined in this report, with any proposed agreement to be brought forward to council for consideration following completion of staff’s investigation and analysis.

Approving the immediate negotiation pipeline allows municipal compliance teams to establish rigorous auditing safeguards while ensuring the community-rooted development can break ground as scheduled next spring.