Moose Creek residents are looking forward o their new recreation centre. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new community building took place on June 10. From the left: Greg van Loenen, Sheldon Wells, Brandon Campbell, SDG warden Carma Williams, NS Deputy Mayor François Landry, Nicholas Forgues, Ryan Villeneuve, Matthew Lefebvre, Lorena Sollows, Ginette Quesnel. Thompson Goddard Photo

NORTH STORMONT – Representatives from Green for Life, Grant Marion, Eastern Engineering Group as well as the Moose Creek Chamber of Commerce and Moose Creek Recreation Centre joined North Stormont Deputy Mayor François Landry, SDG warden Carma Williams and members of the public to celebrate the ground-breaking for the new Moose Creek Recreation Centre on June 10.

The Moose Creek Recreation Centre, located on St. Polycarp Street, has been a gathering space for community events such as community breakfasts, Halloween haunted houses, Canada Day celebrations and winter carnivals hosted by organizations such as the Moose Creek Recreation Committee. The building itself has served the community for decades. It was recently demolished as construction on the new community centre has commenced. Grant Marion, a local contractor is anticipating the work will be completed by the end of the year.

As the ceremonial ground-breaking event began, Deputy Mayor François Landry pointed out how “the township is not building a new hall, it is the people who are building themselves a new hall.” Landry continued; the township will provide support to ensure residents will have a building which meets their needs. He continued; the building will be similar in design to North Stormont Place in Avonmore, with North Stormont CAO Craig Calder commenting there will be “two thousand square feet of rental space” available before continuing the interior will “be unique and specific to the Moose Creek needs.”

“Moose Creek has historically been one of North Stormont’s most active communities and this new facility is expected to facilitate further community gatherings, build local relationships and improve overall health and wellness within the village and our beautiful township” commented Landry in a June 10 press release from the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry issued on behalf of the township of North Stormont.

The press release also disclosed that the budgeted amount for the new community centre is $3 million. The Moose Creek Chamber of Commerce and Moose Creek Recreation Committee are working together to facilitate the construction, with its fundraising committee having raised approximately $100,000 thus far. Fundraising will continue with events such as golf tournaments, tours of local breweries or wineries and the “Adopt A Brick” campaign. Local business, Green for Life has donated $500,000 in 2022 with an additional $500,000 to be donated in 2023 toward the cost of the new community centre.

The new recreation centre will be located closer to the other recreational features such as the rink, swimming pool and sport areas. There is little doubt that once completed, the new centre will provide residents and visitors to the area with a location to enjoy all there is to offer in Moose Creek as well as North Stormont.