By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chatham-Kent Community Hub project is on budget and on time.
That’s according to an information report provided to council at the Aug. 10 meeting by Edward Soldo, C-K’s head of infrastructure and engineering.
As of July 21, the $53-million facility is 22 per cent complete, the report stated, with final completion slated for early 2028.
Approved in October of 2025, the hub will consolidate the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre; the Chatham-Kent Museum and the Chatham branch of the Chatham-Kent Public Library under one roof at 130 King St. in Chatham.
In response to a query from Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy about the weight of books in the library, Soldo said extra steel has been introduced to handle the issue.
“Through the design of the project, you may recall we took into account the weight of the books in the library, so we had to, through our design, put reinforcing in there,” Soldo said.
Chatham Coun. Alysson Storey commended staff for compiling the report so quickly after the successful motion she put forward earlier this summer asking for quarterly updates.
“I know there’s a lot on everyone’s plates right now, but I think it’s important for folks to see this information, so I really appreciate the fact this came back so quickly,” Storey said.
Fortis Construction Group Inc. is the lead contractor on the build. Ongoing meetings on the project are held bi-weekly.
