Projects and Initiatives

Background

The Municipality of West Perth has been approved for a grant from Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) to support improvements to Keterson Park in Mitchell. The Municipality was made aware of the approval for the grant from ICIP on July 7, 2021. View the full media release on the grant approval here.

View the Government of Ontario's News Release here.

View the Government of Ontario's Backgrounder with a list of projects receiving funds here.

The project involves the construction of a new multi-use pavilion and an accessible path for Keterson Park in Mitchell.  These improvements were identified through the Keterson Park Master Plan which was prepared with input from user groups and adopted by West Perth Council in June of 2019.  The full Keterson Park Master Plan can be accessed here.

Multi-Use Pavilion

A new multi-use pavilion will replace the existing pavilion and barns.  The preliminary design is for a 140ft by 80ft pavilion with a covered viewing area and sight lines to the playground as well as all four existing ball diamonds. The proposed pavilion will also include a new kitchen and bar area, new washroom facilities, basketball nets, and storage space, as well as removable walls and drainage capabilities for use during the annual fall fair and other events. It is anticipated that the new pavilion will be used for a variety of drop-in recreational activities, tournaments and miscellaneous special events. 

Accessible Pathway

A new multi-use accessible stone dust path will be constructed around the ball diamonds and out to the parking lot.

Next Steps

The Municipality has been working with the Agriculture Society on the removal of the small barns on the site.  The process to procure design services for the multi-use pavilion has also been started.  Once the design is completed, the construction will be tendered with the goal of having it completed in 2022.  

Conceptual Drawings and Map

On Thursday, December 3, 2020 Council considered options for renovating the existing municipal office or building a new municipal office.  The decision was made to pursue the new build option and to submit an application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) – COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream for a grant to partially support the project.   

Visit the West Perth Municipal Office Project page for the latest information!

West Perth Municipal Office Project Preliminary Design and Concept Plan

With consideration of a new Fire Hall being built to better service the West Perth community, the tennis courts in Mitchell need a new home. It was confirmed in the Recreation and Leisure Services Master Plan (2016) that there was still a demand for tennis courts and identified the need to undertake a major refurbishment of the tennis court.

In considering options for a new location the Municipality was looking for a spot with existing parking, access to washrooms and within walking distance of the schools. The recommendation is that Veterans Park becomes the home to the new tennis courts in Mitchell. The new location will also be equipped with lights.

An Arborist Report was completed outlining the condition of the trees on the property. 

On July 6, 2020 Council awarded the West Perth Tennis Court tender to Armstrong Paving and Materials Group Ltd and construction began in August 2020. The project was completed and the courts were open for use in June 2021. 

West Perth constructed a new Henry Street Bridge over the North Thames River in Mitchell.  

A decade in the making, the Henry St. Bridge opened for public use on October 23, 2020 after 13 months of construction by general contractor McLean Taylor Construction from St. Mary's. This project began with preliminary discussions back in 2006, and in 2008 West Perth Council appointed a Steering Committee who initiated an Environmental Assessment process. This included public consultations, a number of major studies, and cost estimates to consider four alternative options. The committee then selected the Henry Street location as a Preliminary Preferred Alternative and presented it to Council for acceptance. The construction of the Henry St. Bridge connects the north end of Mitchell and will improve local traffic while extending the useful life of the Huron/Ontario Road Bridge, therefore deferring the costs of future maintenance and reconstruction. A pedestrian tunnel was built as part of the project which creates a complete loop of the nature trail in Mitchell.

West Perth constructed a new West Perth Fire Hall which was completed in December 2020.

DOMM Construction and Dawley Engineering have created a new home for the West Perth firefighters that will serve the community for decades. The construction of the new West Perth Fire Hall began on May 1, 2020 and was completed in December 2020.

The new station features four double-deep drive-through bays, a hose drying tower that incorporates the Mitchell Post Office clock dating back to 1911 and bell from 1912 that was cast at the Taylor Bell Foundry in Loughborough, England. Other features include a museum area for the 1921 and 1928 antique fire trucks, a radio room, offices for fire personnel, a kitchen, and a dualpurpose training room / permanent Emergency Operations Centre. The building design takes the health and safety of the firefighters into account while improving the response capabilities of the department. This design is proactive to the community's needs and is a significant asset to West Perth.

Watch the construction in action:

Fire Hall Progress - May 1 - December 2, 2020