By Paul Morden, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A sports facility company is kicking some tires in Sarnia.
John Knifton, the Toronto-based director of partnership solutions with Canlan Ice Sports Corporation, said the company is looking at a number of communities across Canada, including Sarnia, to expand into.
“Canlan has recently launched a new brand called sportsplex, which is an indoor field house concept of recreation development, that’s in addition to our tradition ice rink developments,” he said.
“Currently, we’re looking across Canada for municipalities that do not have indoor field houses or indoor soccer centres.”
The company’s sportsplex in Mississauga has indoor artificial turf fields, as well as volleyball courts, event rooms and licensed food and beverage services.
Knifton said the company sees Sarnia as a good candidate.
“There’s a strong soccer interest in the market, but no indoor field house opportunities for winter play.”
Details of what type of facility that may be developed in Sarnia would depend on location and existing buildings, as well as cost and other factors, he said.
“It would not be an ice rink,” Canlan said. “There are sufficient supply of ice rinks in the City of Sarnia right now.”
The former Dow Recreation Centre building near Modeland Road is a possible location, he said.
But, Canlan added, nothing has been confirmed at this point.
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