Tecumseh town council considering new indoor sports complex

By Danielle Gagnier

Tecumseh town council members are talking about the idea of building a new multi-use SportsPlex in Tecumseh, but the final decision to proceed with the project could take a number of months.

The complex was one of mayor Gary McNamara’s platform items when he was running in the 2014 municipal election. He served as mayor since 2003 and said one of his main priorities has always been his “service to the community.” One of the issues he sees as important from the years 2014-18 is to “support an enhanced indoor sports facility such as an indoor soccer complex and walking track.”

Town council held a feasibility study analysis on Jan. 27 at the Tecumseh arena. The study included a survey for residents to fill out asking whether or not they would like to see a new indoor facility built in Tecumseh. It would be built as an add-on to the existing Tecumseh arena in order to reduce operating costs. There is a possibility the new complex would include indoor walking tracks and an indoor turf field, but the purpose of this feasibility study was to determine what Tecumseh residents see as priority.

“I was getting a lot of comments from individuals that there was not enough facilities to add to the quality of life for people of different ages,” said McNamara. “We’re asking the general public what you would consider an important component in a facility.”

There has also been a lot of talk about a pool being included in this facility. With so many pools in the immediate vicinity, council members said it is unlikely there will be enough demand for a pool and it would be underused. Council members want to ensure they create a facility that the town can truly benefit from.

The public has been reacting well towards the proposal for a new indoor facility so far. Kevin Mulvey, a Tecumseh soccer coach, said he is excited by the proposal because they are currently using indoor facilities on the west end of Windsor. While some residents are concerned about funding, McNamara said “the community is in a pretty solid financial footing” and the complex will do nothing but benefit the town.

This complex would not only create a place for everyone in the community to go to any time of the year, but it will also create more opportunities to help the town grow and expand in the future. McNamara said the facility and amenities in the community would add to a business case where the council could bring the idea of possibly building a hotel for people coming from out of town for tournaments.

“We could bring all kinds of sports tourism here – tournaments, partnerships with school boards and so forth,” said McNamara. He said he believes Tecumseh should no longer be classified as part of downtown Windsor and wants to look at growth areas for the community to help it thrive.

John Alley, the director of the development team, said the earliest possible time the complex will open is three years from now. The director of parks and recreation services for the Town of Tecumseh, Paul Anthony, is looking forward for the complex to be built.

“It’s exciting that we’re looking at doing something different than other communities are doing,” he said. “We’re looking to offer amenities that aren’t currently in a number of other municipalities.”

Although there are many exciting ideas that have been suggested by not only council members but the general public, the decision will not be made until later this year as to whether or not the complex will be built.