MARKHAM, ON ~ A sod-turning ceremony was held on April 14, at the Town of Markham's Centennial Community Centre to celebrate the start of construction of a 10,000 square foot indoor bocce facility. This facility is scheduled to open early next year.
"The four new bocce courts add an exciting dimension to the Centennial Community Centre," said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. "I'm delighted that, working together, we are building a new home for the Markham Centennial Bocce Club and introducing bocce as a new way for residents throughout the community to get active, stay fit and have fun."
"The Markham Centennial Bocce Club is one of most active in the Greater Toronto Area," said President of the Markham Bocce Association and Markham Ward 4 Councillor Carolina Moretti. "We're very excited about our new facility which is result of the generous support of our members, an excellent partnership with the Town and support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation."
The bocce courts are part of an $11.4 million renovation and expansion of Markham's Centennial Community Centre. Designed by architects Oleson Worland and Taylor Smyth in a joint venture, the addition will increase the Centre's size to 132,955 sq. ft. from the current 99,100 sq. ft.
"The Centennial expansion will make this one of the Town's leading recreation centres, bringing new facilities and a variety of new programs to local residents. We anticipate welcoming almost 30,000 visitors a week," said Mayor Scarpitti.
The first phase of the expansion - a two-level fitness centre and change rooms totalling 11,200 sq. ft - opened in October, 2006. Renovation of the centre's lobby is underway and work continues on the next phase of expansion. This includes a multi-purpose room, a new gymnasium and updated pool administration area in addition to the new bocce facility.
