Permit issued for Taché Community Centre

The permit for the new Taché Community Centre has been issued and construction should start with a family-friendly digging celebration by the end of the month.

That was the expectation from Taché Mayor Armand Poirer just before an in-camera meeting closed to the public for an update from contractor BLDR during the RM council meeting April 8.

Poirier said the $29.5-million project price has not gone up and the scope of everything included has not changed. He added construction is still expected to be completed in 2026, despite only utility work being done since the groundbreaking ceremony at the beginning of November.

“It’s kind of part of the construction process what we’re going through, although it’s not visible. All the details are being taken care of, and it is very, very close to coming to an end now,” said Poirier.

The new centre replaces the 60-year-old Lorette Community Centre, which will be torn down after construction. Surrounded by the skatepark, soccer fields, splash pad, ball diamonds, outdoor arena, and walking paths, the goal is to make Lorette a regional recreation hub.

It is promised to also house a library, senior centre with a kitchen, and year-round recreation space.

“It’s very exciting. There’s a lot of skeptics out there but you know what, keep your ear to the ground and get involved,” said Poirier.

The fundraising committee held a meeting April 7 and should have something more to share by month’s end, said Poirier.

Anyone wanting to help fundraise can call the RM and leave their name. Coun. Colleen Jolicoeur chairs the committee.

As of the groundbreaking in November, funding sources were to include a $6-million loan to the RM, $4.63 million in federal grants, $1.2 million from the Manitoba Hydro Community Development Initiative reserve, $3.72 million from the Canada Community Building Fund (formerly called the gas tax) reserve, $3.05 million from Tache’s capital improvement at large reserve, $373,287 from the Tache Complex reserve, $1.5 million from Lorette LUD’s capital and surplus reserves, $349,500 from the Seniors Club, $100,000 from the Bibliothèque Taché Library, and $308,500 from a Chase the Ace fundraiser led by volunteers who lobbied to ensure a new library was part of the new centre.