Residents utilizing Wilson Park will notice a number of improvements have been completed.
The City of Windsor unveiled the park improvements on Friday afternoon as part of the transformative Reimagined Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex project.
Over the past several years, Wilson Park has undergone a series of major new upgrades that includes a playground, a splash pad, sports courts, and a batting cage.
More recently, the parkland has received new asphalt pathways, lighting infrastructure, and drainage improvements, with a new parking area and driveway extensions expected to be completed by October.
The drainage improvements are being carried out in part with funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund and the Government of Canada to reduce the risk of sewer overflows and basement flooding in the area.
Meanwhile, work continues on the Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex which is expected to be completed this fall. It will include arena renovations/upgrades such as a new gymnasium and support spaces, new corridor, program rooms, and more.
Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens says the drainage work will make a huge difference for nearby residents.
“This infrastructure that’s been installed will help retain about 660,000 litres of water during a high intensity rainstorm and release it to the sewer system slowly once the system clears. That means the water is being stored here, and not in your road or in your basement. It’s great news for everyone.”
He says the park is looking incredible.
“The playground is new, the splash pad is new, obviously the roadway and parking will all be new. Inside you’re going to have a brand new gymnasium, there’s new public spaces indoors, and change rooms, and bathrooms. It really is a complete refresh and a reimagining of Adie Knox, and so I think once folks walk into the doors they’re going to be very impressed at what they see.”
Dilkens says this arena will be the new home for the men’s and women’s Lancer Hockey teams.
“Obviously the Lancer hockey team is already really excited, they’re starting to practice inside the ice facility so this will be their new home as well, which gets them a little closer to the university and there’s going to be a lot of really exciting things happen here inside the new gymnasium, the new facility, that I think the public is going to love.”
The price tag of the overall project is $19.5 million and was awarded to Fortis Construction Group.
Work within the park has been ongoing for multiple years.