The Town has gone to tender to build the new Montreal West Sports and Recreation Center as it recognizes the value of sports and recreation as an essential public service for growing a healthy, vibrant and connected community.
Recreation is being called upon to support objectives beyond physical fitness, such as community building, social inclusion, wellness and economic development. This shift presents an opportunity for Montreal West to reimagine the role of its sports and recreation facilities as part of a broader Town-building strategy. The new facilities will serve as a centralized hub for the entire community through a variety of different programs and activities. Sports and recreation will become a key factor in shaping quality of life in Montreal West.
The new intergenerational Center will offer enhanced sport and recreation services, be universally accessible and favour an eco-responsible and climate-resilient design.
This webpage will be updated as the need arises and more information is known.
Last updated on June 15, 2023
The new Sports and Recreation Center project consists of the demolition of the existing obsolete infrastructure and reconstruction of a new center at the same location, at 220 Bedbrook Avenue.
The new facility will offer enhanced sport and recreation services, favour an eco-responsible and climate-resilient design and be universally accessible.
View the isometric plans and the floor plans.
Built in 1964, our facilities are now 58 years old, far exceeding the 40-50 year expected life span for an arena and an outdoor swimming pool and serious structural, air quality and accessibility issues are now at play.
The current facilities are unable to support the modern-day expectations of users and limit the Town in its ability to maintain and improve the health, well-being and quality of life in the community.
In addition, recreation activities are currently spread out across several locations, including the Davies Chalet, Town Hall and Community Center. This situation presents an ongoing challenge regarding service delivery, space, equipment and personnel management, security, parking, etc.
As it stands, the current plans for the new Sports and Recreation Center include a regulation sized-rink, an outdoor L-shaped swimming pool, a gymnasium, 2 multipurpose rooms, pro-shop, café-restaurant, offices and kitchen facilities.
View the floor plans for more details
Yes, the ceiling height of the gymnasium will be 5.4 meters and will allow for the practice of sports such as basketball, badminton, pickleball, etc.
Consult a table with all room sizes.
Having been built in the 1960s, the pool would require numerous complex and costly repairs to replace the original pipes and plumbing, cracked concrete slabs and filtration system. Furthermore, the pumping and filtration system for the pool are currently inside the arena, so when that is demolished we’ll have to replace the pool system.
In addition, the current pool has a maximum capacity of 300 people, which is not enough to accommodate multiple programs simultaneously, and it is not accessible (by ramp or lift) for differently abled people.
The new pool will be fully accessible and will have a proper deep end which could be used for more diving programs and competitions.
The mission of the PAFIRS program is to support sports and recreational infrastructures to encourage the practice of physical activities. Understanding this, Town Council adopted a resolution authorizing a second PAFIRS grant application (after the first was unsuccessful) at our Council meeting in December 2019 and detailed the modified project on our website as of February 2020. Though the MWPL is not part of the new project, we have worked extremely hard with its board to secure alternate permanent accessible locations to meet its members’ needs.
The construction of a new facility will not impact other Town services. Road infrastructure work carried out in Town has always depended on the availability of grants for which the Town has been approved. The government programs to finance this type of work are different from the one we received for the construction of a new facility.
The basketball court will remain where it is, untouched. However, it may be unavailable during the construction of the new center as it is very likely that Hodgson Field will not be accessible due to the need to store materials and equipment for the construction site.
During the construction phase, the priority will be the safety of the citizens.
It is essential for the Town to provide access to all citizens and users, regardless of age or ability. This stems from a desire to make Montreal West a town that is accessible to all, equitable and inclusive.
The new facility will be completely accessible (e.g. ramps, elevator, access ramp in the pool, accessible rink allowing for sledge hockey, 2 accessible hockey changing rooms, accessible washrooms)
Consultation with residents began in 2017 with a survey delivered to every house in Montreal West about whether to move ahead with the construction of a new centre with a rink. The majority of the 818 respondents said “yes”, and a well-attended meeting was held at the Town Hall to discuss the results.
Council then proceeded with three grant applications, two of which were unsuccessful, and the third which was approved in 2021.
In 2021, all council members, acclaimed or elected, promised to move ahead with the project.
In April 2022, all residents were invited to participate in one of two virtual consultation activities. An electronic survey was then made available to all residents. A round table was held with local community organizations as well to assess their needs for a new facility.
The arena and the North chalet will need to be demolished in the next few years.
The pool will require numerous complex and costly repairs to replace the original pipes and plumbing, cracked concrete slabs and filtration system. Furthermore, the pumping and filtration system for the pool are currently inside the arena, so when that is demolished, the pool system will need to be replaced and a separate facility to house this equipment will need to be built.
Based on a similar project nearing completion, for which tenders were opened in 2021, the estimate is around 12 million. An increase in debt servicing for a $12 million loan paid over 40 years at a borrowing rate of 3% translates into an annual increase of $300 for a home with an average value of $1,033,882.
Built in 1964, our facilities are now 59 years old, far exceeding the 40-50 year expected life span for an arena and an outdoor swimming pool.
The Town submitted three grant applications since 2017 with three different conceptual designs. Our 2020 application to the Financial Assistance Program for Recreational and Sports Infrastructures (PAFIRS) grant was approved in May 2021 for the reconstruction of a new Sports and Recreation Center, including the demolition of our existing facilities. The Town received a $12.5 million grant as part of the PAFIRS grant.
Our project was chosen for the PAFIRS grant because it increased our sport and recreation services, ensured universal accessibility and favoured an energy-saving design, amongst other things.
Any modifications to the approved project must be evaluated and analyzed and there is no guarantee that the grant will remain. See the answer to ‘Is there a plan B” for more details.
There has never been a second set of plans for this grant. The Town has received a 12,5 M$ grant as part of the Financial Assistance Program for Recreational and Sports Infrastructures (PAFIRS) for the project that was presented in our 2020 grant application.
This project includes the following sports and recreation facilities: regulation sized-rink, an outdoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, multipurpose rooms.
The Town received confirmation from the Ministère de l’éducation that removing the arena from the plans would be considered a major change and a government approval would be required.
Article 24 c) of the PAFIRS guide, which states that :
24. The following modifications must be authorized by the Minister:
a) a change in the site on which the project is carried out;
b) the start or end date of the work cannot be met;
c) the nature or scope of the project is modified;
d) the anticipated direct benefits.
Based on this article, the Ministry of Education gave us the following answer:
The grant will only be disbursed following the construction of the Sports and Recreation Center. The federal grant will be paid in one lump sum whereas the provincial grant will be paid over 10 years with interest.
The project that was reviewed and approved by the Ministère de l’éducation included a completion date by February 2025.
Over 45 donations were committed in the silent fundraising campaign representing $1.6M. These are bound by contractual agreements.
Launched last November, the public fundraising campaign consisting of fundraising events as well as a fundraising page is ongoing.
The target fundraising amount is $2.5M
When a municipality wishes to borrow money to carry out infrastructure capital work, it must proceed by way of a loan by-law if it does not have the funds required to carry out the work in its annual capital budget.
The construction of the new Sports and Recreation Center will serve the citizens living in Town for the next 40 years or more. This municipal infrastructure project will benefit the entire population, community organizations and local merchants. In addition to the grant received from the federal and provincial governments representing over 1/3 of the estimated cost for the project, it will be funded by the generous donations raised through the fundraising campaign, appropriation of unaffected and affected surplus and contributions by municipal taxpayers, present and future.
The Cities and Towns Act defines which loan by-law is subject to the approval of the qualified voters according to the procedure provided for a loan by-law. The loan by-law for the new Sports and Recreation Center is subject to this process. Qualified voters may register to determine if a referendum vote must be held to approve the loan by-law. If the minimum number of signatures are not received, the by-law will be sent to the Ministère des affaires municipales et de l’habitation (MAMH) for approval. This is the final step in the loan by-law process.
The plans for the new Sports and Recreation Center were finalized during the last design phase to meet the requirements outlined in the PAFIRS program (environmental targets, universal accessibility, etc.) and to reflect the results of the public consultations held with residents, community organizations and local stakeholders.
The estimated project costs of $32M as listed in the loan by-law takes into consideration the inflationary environment and the surge of activity in the construction industry and includes net taxes, contingencies and other related and unforeseen expenses pertaining to the work.
It is important to note that the maximum borrowing power of $27M as listed in the by-law is based on estimated costs and does not take into consideration private (fundraising) and public (provincial and federal government financial assistance) contributions.
| Estimated costs | $ 32,513,686 |
| Subtract unallocated surplus | $3,250,000 |
| Subtract allocated surplus (including the sale of library lot) | $1,945,000 |
| Loan by-law | $27,318,686 |
| Subtract grants | $ 12,556,227 |
| Subtract fundraising and other funds (provincial sales tax refund) | $ 3,637,313 |
EQUALS: Estimated loan for taxpayers paid over 40 years. | $ 11,124,646 |
Residents opposed to the loan by-law had the opportunity to sign a register to hold a referendum to approve or reject the by-law.
The Town of Montreal West opened a register on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with respect to By-law 2023-001 ordering the construction of a new sports and recreation center and authorizing a lon of $27 318 686 for this purpose.
The number of signatures required to force a referendum was 391. The Town received a total of 329 signatures. Therefore, By-law 2023-001 is deemed to have been approved by those eligible to vote and was forwarded to the ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’habitation (MAMH) for approval.
The loan by-law was approved by the MAMH on March 24, 2023 at an interest rate of 3%.
The public bid opening for the construction of the new Sports and Recreation Center was held on Friday, March 31 at 11 a.m. at the Town Hall. A total of 4 bids were received and a Preliminary bid report (these are the numbers read publicly directly from submitted bids during bid opening, without conformity verification or analysis) was published to the website on the same day.
The bids were all thoroughly analyzed by the architects and their recommendation letter confirmed that the lowest conforming bid for the construction of a new Sports and Recreation Center came in at $ 38,199,294.00 (taxes included) from Sajo Inc.
Yes, the demolition costs are included in the bid we received.
In order to cover the difference following the opening of the bids, the Town must now apply for an amendment to the Loan by-law to cover the difference in cost
Council deposited a notice of motion to adopt an amendment to the Loan by-law during their regular Council meeting on April 24 at 8 p.m. and adopted the amendment to the Loan by-law during a special Council meeting on Thursday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m.
By-law 2023-003 Amendment to By-law 2023-001
Those opposed to the amendment to the Loan by-law had the opportunity to sign a register to force a referendum.
The Town of Montreal West opened a register on Friday, May 5, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with respect to By-law 2023-003 ordering the construction of a new Sports and Recreation Center to increase the expenditure and authorized loan by an additional amount of $6,686,024.
As a reminder, the number of signatures required to force a referendum was 391. The Town received a total of 599 signatures.
Following the results of the register on May 5, a referendum poll will be held to approve or reject the By-law no. 2023-003 amending By-law no. 2023-001 ordering the construction of a new Sports and Recreation Center to increase the expenditure and authorized loan by an additional amount of $6,686,024.
Advanced poll: Sunday, June 11 from 12 to 8 p.m.
Polling Day: Sunday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Legion Memorial Rink (220 Bedbrook, Montreal West, H4x 1S1)
Votes will begin to be counted after the closing of the polling stations on June 18, at 8:00 p.m.
Town Hall will be open to the public as of 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 18, 2023. Results will be announced at Town Hall (50 Westminster Avenue South) and updated on a dedicated Referendum results webpage in real time.
To be able to vote, you must be a qualified voter and meet the following conditions on April 27, 2023:
Non-resident property owners who meet the conditions set out in the public notice published on the website on May 9, 2023 may also be added to the referendum list provided they apply before May 30.
If your name is not on the list, you will not be allowed to vote.
To make an application for entry, striking off or correction, you must appear before the Board of Revisors. For more information, see the question “When will the Board of Revisors meet?“
The persons qualified to vote must confirm their identity by presenting one of the following documents:
Advanced poll: Sunday, June 11 from 12 to 8 p.m.
Polling Day: Sunday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Legion Memorial Rink (220 Bedbrook, Montreal West, H4X 1S1)
The referendum list will be deposited by the Town Clerk and may be consulted as of May 23, 2023 at the Town Hall, 50 Westminster South, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.
Every resident will receive a notice specifying the names of qualified voters who are already registered on the referendum list and indicating how to have the referendum list modified if necessary.
If your name is not on the list, you will not be allowed to vote.
To make an application for entry, striking off or correction, you must appear before the Board of Revisors. The application must be made before the revisors at Town Hall, 50 Westminster South, Montreal West, Québec, on the following dates:
The application must be made before the revisors at Town Hall, 50 Westminster South, Montreal West, Québec, on the following dates:
The referendum dates follow a timeline legislated by the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities.
A public notice announcing the referendum dates was published on the website and in the papers on May 9, 2023. The referendum may be held 40 days following the date of the public notice.
As per articles 567 and 568 of the Act, polling day must take place on a Sunday and whenever a poll is required, an advance poll must be held seven days before polling day
Polling Day will take place on June 18 and advance poll on June 11.
Following the opening of the bids, the Town needed to amend the initial loan by-law (By-law 2023-001, done based on the estimated cost of the project) which was approved by MAMH. The referendum is held to approve or reject By-law 2023-003.
See the answer to ‘What will the wording of the referendum question be?” for more details.
Here is the question that will appear on the ballot: Do you approve By-Law 2023-003 authorizing an additional loan of $6,686,024 to complete the financing of the construction of a new Sports and Recreation Center already approved by By-Law 2023-001 for a loan of $27,318,686?
Should a majority (50%+1) vote yes at the referendum, the amendment to the loan by-law will be deemed approved and will be sent to the Ministère des affaires municipales et de l’habitation (MAMH) for approval.
A contract will be signed with the lowest conforming bidder and other professionals, and construction will begin.
Should a majority (50%+1) vote no at the referendum, the project will come to a halt. The Town would most probably lose its funding as it will not be able to fulfill the requirements of the grant which is to build the approved project by the deadline set out in the grant conditions.
The total project costs (including direct and indirect costs) went from an estimated 32.5 M$ to 39.2 M$.
The project cost estimations were updated at each phase of the project, and the funding model had been adjusted accordingly. However, the impact of rising inflation and the surge of activity in the construction industry was evident in the bids we received.
| Project costs | $ 39,199,710 |
| Subtract unallocated surplus | $ 3,250,000 |
| Subtract allocated surplus (including the sale of library lot) | $ 1,945,000 |
| Loan by-law | $ 34,004,710 |
| Subtract grants | $ 12,556,727 |
| Subtract fundraising and other funds (provincial sales tax refund) | $ 4,021,653 |
| EQUALS: Estimated loan for taxpayers paid over 40 years | $ 17,426,330 |
This translates to a $ 436 annual increase on the average valued house ($1,033,882).
The impact is based on an expected increase in debt service for a $17,426,330 loan paid over 40 years at a 3%* borrowing rate.
* as approved on March 24, 2023 by the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation in our initial Loan by-law request.
The projected Recreation revenues for 2025 is based on the improved services that will be offered and the new facilities available at that time. New adult and youth programs are planned, the arena will be open year-round and the pool and day camp activities are part of the new programming schedule.
Projected revenue for 2025 over the 2023 budget increased by 880K or 159%. Compared to results for 2019 (last full year, pre-pandemic), estimated 2025 revenues are 71% higher.
54% of the total projected increase is due to increased arena revenues, 19% to recreation programs, 19% to Day Camp revenues, 5% to pool and 3% to miscellaneous revenue.
The breakdown of projected Recreation revenues is as follows:
Projected Recreation expenditures for 2025 have considered the additional operating costs of the new Sports and Recreation Center, based on the operating costs of other similar facilities and the significant increase in operating hours.
The total increase over the 2023 budget is 953K or 52%. These include employee salaries, building maintenance and utilities, tools, office supplies, materials, equipment etc.
76% of the total projected increase is due to increase on salaries and payroll levies and 24% due to other expenses.
The breakdown of the 2025 projected recreation expenditures is as follows:
The projected difference between the increase in revenues and the increase in expenditures in the 2025 recreation budget is 73K or 5.7%, over the Recreation deficit in the 2023 budget.
To limit the tax increase, the Town continues to seek additional funding from the government, is evaluating ways to increase its tax base and will double down its efforts on the fundraising campaign.
Registration will take place on Friday, May 5, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Music Room at Town Hall (50 Westminster avenue South, H4X 1Y7).
As per the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities, registration day consists of one day for a Town our size. Unfortunately this means that you cannot sign the register if you are not available on Friday, May 5.
The Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities, sets out the rules for identifying who is eligible to vote.
Those eligible to vote must be:
The persons qualified to vote must confirm their identity by presenting one of the following documents:
The calculation formula set out in the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities determines the number of signatories required to force a referendum. In the case of Montreal West, this number is 391.
Yes. In an effort to be completely transparent with residents, Council has committed to holding a vote following the opening of the bids. At that time we will present residents with the total cost of the project as well as the projected impact on your tax bill. You will then have the opportunity to vote whether or not to proceed with the construction of the new Sports and Recreation Centre, taking into consideration all of the facts.
A resolution announcing Council’s intent to hold a vote was passed at the February 27 council meeting.
The vote will be held in a similar way to the referendum however it will be less expensive as we do not have as many legislative hoops to jump through with a vote we call ourselves.
If the majority votes yes, the construction of the new Sports and Recreation Center will begin. If the majority votes No, the project as it has been presented will not go forward.
The following chart illustrates the steps involved in a loan by-law procedure.
