Next year the Walter Baker Sports Centre celebrates it’s 30th birthday, what a party that will be! Nepean Councillors back then were certainly foreword thinking as the population of Barrhaven in 1980 was small, far too small to require a sports complex let alone one with squash courts, meeting space, rinks and indoor pool and more. In 2005 the Jockvale Golf Community plan was passed which included a likely location for a future elementary school and a sports complex.

Bruce MacNabb, Monarch Corporation, who truly is the person responsible for the vision and existence of Stonebridge (in my opinion after working all these years with him) long ago identified the 23 acres at Cambrian and Greenbank as a good future spot for an integrated complex.

In June 2006 Council approved the South Nepean Urban and the Barrhaven South Community Design Plans, which meant that in the next decade, or so Barrhaven will welcome another 50,000 or so residents south of Strandherd bringing our population well over 100,000.

This is why my friend and colleague Ottawa Catholic School Board Trustee Cathy Maguire-Urban and I are absolutely thrilled that at long last a report has gone before Community and Protective Services Committee September 3rd. Committee will be asked to support the purchase of 9.45 (23 acres) hectares of land from Monarch Corporation. 

In the near future the Ottawa Catholic School Board will be asked to vote on this school project and on September 9th City Council we hope will ratify the purchase. This is a very good day for Barrhaven.  Staff from the City’s Parks and Rec, Real Estate Services, and Fire Services collaborated with staff from the Ottawa Catholic School Board and the Monarch Corporation to bring this concept plan forward.  Securing this land is a giant step for Barrhaven and an exciting prospect for the future.

The concept plan for this property at the corner of Cambrian and Greenbank Road was developed to include a city-wide recreation complex, two sports fields, neighbourhood park, an urban fire station, an elementary school and a storm water attenuation pond. This is a fantastic example of smart growth by integrating various public programs at one location, giving it a campus feel. 

Congratulations go to all the staff at the Ottawa Catholic School Board and the City and Monarch for their efforts on behalf of Barrhaven; this will be an incredible addition to an already amazing community.  Stay tuned for further updates.

Arcticle: Barrhaven This Week