麻豆社区

Construction is underway on Ross River's new recreation centre.

"Construction crews have been working hard on the replacement for the Ross River Recreation Centre,鈥� Community Services Minister Elaine Taylor announced via a press release last week.

"Once complete, the recreation centre will be an important gathering place for youth and community members that will provide opportunities for active and healthy living.鈥�

An accidental fire destroyed the former recreation centre in March 2011.

The Government of Yukon committed to rebuild the facility and has allocated $7 million for the centre's design and construction.

Planning for the recreation centre has been directed by a building committee chaired by Ross River Recreation Society president Fran Etzel.

The committee is composed of members from the community, the recreation society, Ross River Dena Council and the Government of Yukon.

"Ross River is excited to see construction begin on our new recreation centre,鈥� Etzel said. "Local residents and the building committee worked hard to help plan and design the new Ross River Recreation Centre to ensure it meets community needs. Everyone is looking forward to using the facility when it is ready later this year.鈥�

The new centre will be an energy-efficient, accessible, single-storey facility and is being constructed on the site of the former recreation centre.

It will include a hockey arena, youth centre and multi-purpose areas suitable for recreation and sport programming.

"As the MLA representing the community of Ross River, I am pleased to see that construction of the new recreation centre is underway,鈥� said Pelly-Nisutlin MLA Stacey Hassard.

"This facility is sure to become a focus for community activities. The government investment in this new centre is considerable and I am grateful that this new asset will soon be available for residents of Ross River.鈥�

Completion of the recreation centre is expected by the end of September.