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Caledon Centre boasts close 2.5 million visits
Wednesday June 11 2008
 
The Caledon Centre for Recreation & Wellness is not your typical municipal recreation centre. Expected to surpass 2.5 million visits this spring, the Caledon Centre is the cornerstone of the Town of Caledon’s recreation service to the community.
“Our Caledon Centre for Recreation & Wellness continues to operate and exceed expectations set within the centre’s annual business plan,” said Mayor Marolyn Morrison.
“This is a leading-edge recreation facility with an innovative operating plan that is based on cost-recovery.”
On June 10, 2002 the Caledon Centre opened its doors as the municipality’s very first multi-use recreational facility. By the end of its second full year of operation, the facility recovered 100 per cent of the operational costs through user fees.
Now, an average of 1,200 patrons visit the 70,000 sq. ft. facility daily to participate in a wide range of programming and leisure opportunities. From squash leagues to photography classes, the Caledon Centre offers the latest and most innovate recreation programming seven days a week.  It has had more than 2,000 facility members consistently over the past few years.
PLANNED IN 1999
Planning for the facility began in 1999 when Town council approved construction costs in the amount of $8.8 million.
Most of this funding was allocated from Development Charges, and approximately $1 million was generated through corporate donations and community fundraising.
Wendy Rowland, business manager of the Caledon Centre, has been with the six-year-old facility from its conceptual beginnings.
“Our goal from day one has been to provide barrier-free programmes and a fully-accessible facility to the people of Caledon,” said Rowland. She added that the facility’s strategic plan continues to evolve to meet community needs.
Community support of the facility is evident. In fact, the recent 21,000 sq. ft. expansion is a result of community backing. The Town provided $968,000 in funding towards the expansion, which was backed by $1,569,500 in financial support stemming from a partnership commitment with the Rotary Club of Bolton. The expansion of the facility has resulted in a permanent home for local Scouts and Girl Guides and a gymnasium for volleyball, basketball and other indoor activities.
The Town’s commitment to innovation and leadership in recreation is evident at the Caledon Centre with its accessible pool, Jesse’s Sensory Garden and the Snoezelen multi-sensory room (upon its opening, Caledon was acknowledged for being one of only two municipalities in Canada to provide such a room and activities in a municipal recreation complex).
EARNED AWARDS
The Town’s leadership in the development of this facility has been well recognized. The Caledon Centre has been the recipient of several awards, including the ‘Award of Excellence for Accessible Recreation’ from Parks and Recreation Ontario. This commitment to accessibility has made the Caledon Centre a trusted destination for citizens recovering from injury or living with other health challenges.
Opportunities at the Caledon Centre are more than just recreation pursuits. According to Caledon Youth Services Co-ordinator, Tom Linkletter, the facility’s Youth Centre acts as a meeting place for local youth and provides a welcoming environment for youth to gather daily. Local youth take full advantage of programming such at the award winning Flipside Skate Park, rock-climbing wall and mobile youth centre - all of which are offered by Caledon Youth Services.
“One great thing about Caledon Youth Services is its ability to help build strong leaders in our community,” Linkletter said.
“Aside from the variety of activities, local youth can gain valuable work experience at the Caledon Centre as youth volunteers. From operating the Flipside Skate Park to maintaining the ice at Ralph’s Rink, the responsibility lies with the youth volunteers who frequently move on to become facility employees.”
The Caledon Centre provides more than 100 part-time jobs to the Caledon community - some 60 per cent of employees are local youth.  
For information about Caledon’s recreation programmes and facilities, visit www.caledon.ca or call (905) 584-2272.