New recreation centre in Dawson City, Yukon, expected to open in spring 2028

Site preparation is underway for the new recreation centre in Dawson City, Yukon.

The multi-million dollar, multi-use facility will be located just outside of the downtown core, where the Dome Road meets the North Klondike highway.

The town's chief administrative officer Dave Henderson said it's an exciting time for the community, and those who have been involved with the project up to this point.

"The city of Dawson is going to be pretty happy with this product when it's all said and done," said Henderson. "It's going to do a lot of good for this community."

Construction on the new facility will be done by Wildstone Construction in partnership with Chief Isaac Group of Companies and architect Stantec, and is expected to begin next year. It's expected to be complete by spring 2028.

Once completed, the new recreation centre will have amenities including a walking track, curling sheets, an indoor play area, a multi-purpose room, and house many of the town's municipal offices, all under one roof.

"It takes a number of buildings that we currently have, and programs, and combines them together in one new facility that's more energy-saving and sustainable than the current buildings combined," Henderson said. "It gives us a number of advantages financially."

Henderson said site preparation is the focus from now until the end of the current construction season.He said the work includes clearing the area of trees, and tailing piles, levelling the area where the facility will sit, and laying addition material to bolster the foundation.

The federal and territorial governments are putting $63.9 million toward building the new recreation centre. The Yukon Government is investing another $8.3 million for site preparation.

Colin Morrison, the senior project manager for the territory's department of Community Services, said this project has him "inspired."

"To be perfectly honest, this process that we've engaged in is absolutely impossible without the commitment and dedication of the community," Morrison told CBC News. "The City of Dawson, the staff, and the recreation advisory board have put in countless hours and additional effort above and beyond the call to make this happen."

A couple of events are scheduled next week to inform the public about the long-awaited project, but also celebrate the latest development. 

Henderson said a "turning of the sod" event will happen on the site of the new recreation centre on Wednesday afternoon, with representatives from the territorial, municipal, and local First Nation governments speaking about the work that has gone into the project so far.

A community barbecue and open house will also take place after the ceremony at the Riverside Park Picnic Shelter on Front Street (across from Princess Street), where people can learn more about the new facility.