Ontario Construction News staff writer
Chatham-Kent council has awarded a $39.3-million construction contract for the long-planned Chatham-Kent Community Hub, marking a major milestone for one of the municipality’s largest civic infrastructure projects.
Fortis Construction Group Inc. of Tecumseh, Ont., will build the new facility at 130 King St. W. in downtown Chatham. The winning bid came in about $3.6 million below the project’s estimated construction cost, the municipality said.
Work is expected to begin in December 2025, with completion slated for early 2028 and opening shortly afterward.
The Community Hub will combine the Chatham Civic Centre, Chatham branch of the public library and the Chatham-Kent Museum in a single energy-efficient and fully accessible municipal complex. Officials say the project will support long-term asset management goals by replacing aging facilities and reducing future infrastructure costs.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said the contract award represents a significant step forward.
“This is an exciting moment for Chatham-Kent. The Community Hub will be a cornerstone for civic life,” he said. “The fact that this project is moving ahead, and already under budget, is a testament to the strong planning and fiscal responsibility behind it.”
Municipal staff said the project will not require new property tax increases, with funding coming from property sales, existing reserves and long-term financing already accounted for in municipal budgets.
Rural libraries and municipal service centres will remain open, the municipality said, ensuring service access across Chatham-Kent.
Project updates will be posted at letstalkchatham-kent.ca/community-hub.Further updates will be shared as the project moves through the construction process and will be available at www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/community-hub.