After over a year-long search, the city has decided to build a multi-sports park at the Hespeler Optimist Park.
The City of Cambridge has been presented with the opportunity to receive a gift of a new inclusive sports park from the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charity.
After city council approved the park back in 2022, the gathered enough public feedback to determine that the park will be coming to Hespeler.
With over 55 per cent of the vote, the Hespeler Optimist Park won with an overwhelming majority voting for the emphasis to be around basketball.
The preliminary budget estimate for this site was the lowest of the three potential locations, estimated at $1.1 million.
The city is now turning back to the public to ask what layout they would prefer with a new survey.
Option one includes a full basketball court for standard and adaptive play and a second multi sport court for: volleyball, pickleball, badminton, ball hockey and soccer.
This option also includes six other fixed basketball nets surrounding the entire park and accessible shaded areas with picnic tables.
Option two has the same full court basketball and multi-sport court, but two basketball nets with a painted area instead of six individual nets.
Both options have shaded sitting areas, spectator bleachers acrylic court surface. perimeter fencing with access gates, LED court lighting and accessible parking.
The full report on the selection of the location and both options can be found here.
The city will be holding an in-person drop in session at the Hespeler Arena (640 Ellis Road), on Wed. Sept. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Construction on the park is anticipated for May through October 2024.
