Russell recreation complex occupancy delayed as council presses for clearer opening dates
RUSSELL — Russell Township is now targeting Dec. 11, 2026, for occupancy of the arenas and community hall at its new recreation complex, and Feb. 14, 2027, for the aquatic facility — but residents will have to wait longer before they can skate or swim there.
The revised dates were presented to council Oct. 13 by parks and recreation director Céline Guitard following discussions with general contractor McDonald Brothers Construction Inc. Further testing, staff training and preparations will be needed before the facilities open to users.
“It’s not only a one-factor thing, it’s really a domino effect of everything,” Guitard said, referring to the explanation provided by project manager Hazem Osman of Turner & Townsend. She said staff had a “good conversation” with the general contractor about the updated schedule. Watch the delay explanation, 2:21:04; contractor discussion, 2:20:49. Some construction jobs must be finished before others can begin. In the pool area, for example, overhead work must be completed and scaffolding removed before crews can move on to other work, as explained in Osman’s email to the township. Despite the delays, Guitard said the project remains on budget.
“So, and I think the most important part that we have to remember, we're still on budget, everything's still going good,” she said. Watch, 2:21:27.
The project manager’s progress report lists a total project budget of $104.3 million, including construction and other project costs, as well as money set aside for unexpected expenses.
The immediate challenge is to finish construction while preparing municipal staff to operate a facility considerably larger and more complex than the township’s existing recreation buildings. The transition includes testing equipment, preparing the arenas, training employees and establishing the operating procedures needed before the public can enter.
“But still we're confident that we'll be able to get there and it's going to be a milestone,” Guitard said. Watch, 2:22:22. Nevertheless, Mayor Mike Tarnowski acknowledged the disappointment over the changing timetable while emphasizing the scale of the undertaking.
“This is the largest project we've ever undertaken in this municipality, and I'm not happy about the delay. But for a project that's two years in the making I did somewhat expect a little bit, you know, some delays around that, so it's not entirely a surprise,” Tarnowski said. Watch, 2:22:43.
Coun. Jamie Laurin expressed frustration over the delays and called for earlier and clearer communication whenever schedules change.
“While I would like to have had it open in October like it was originally planned, we need to get it right. Nothing will frustrate the users [more] than if we open it and there’s deficiencies and then we have to shut it down again, push everyone back to the other facilities, and then bring them back again. I get it. I’m not happy, but I get it,” Laurin said. Watch, 2:26:11.
“It’s great that we give numbers or timelines … What is that timeline? You know, if you can’t meet a timeline, then you need to tell us the minute you know you’re not going to meet it so that we can then understand those delays immediately and be able to put that out to the public rather than not having that information for a few months.” Watch, 2:26:50.
“And we’re out there saying, oh yeah, November 5th we get the keys, so by December 1st we’re, we’re on the ice, let’s go. And now it’s not. So again, while I get it and we need to get it right, and I think we will get it right, just— I’m still disappointed.” Watch, 2:27:18.
Coun. Lisa Deacon also questioned the reporting schedule seeking more frequent and detailed information as the project approaches completion.
Staff said the project manager provides monthly reports and that council could receive additional updates. Laurin called for a timetable update at every council meeting until the entire facility is operational, an approach administration said it could accommodate. Watch the reporting discussion, 2:27:41.
The mayor also called for public communications that clearly explain the difference between receiving the building, commissioning its systems and opening it for recreation programs. For residents the distinction is significant. The Dec. 11 and Feb. 14 dates are occupancy milestones, not dates when hockey players will take to the new ice surfaces or swimmers will enter the aquatic centre. The township expects to have more information about when the facilities can open at subsequent council meetings.
Source documents: Township staff report PR-2026-18 · Turner & Townsend progress report, Oct. 6, 2026 · Hazem Osman’s email
Companion coverage: Why getting the keys doesn't mean the recreation complex is ready to open