With today’s announcement that the London Health Sciences Centre will be relocating the COVID-19 assessment centre from Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre to Victoria Hospital, the City of London is excited to begin the work required to reopen the facility by October 3. While this work is underway, City staff will look for opportunities to open portions of the building for free drop-in programs as soon as possible.
“We are deeply grateful to the community, especially the neighbourhoods surrounding the Centre, for their patience over the past two-and-a-half years,” says Jon-Paul McGonigle, Director of Recreation and Sport at the City of London. “Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre is a recreation staple in London, and we are excited to get to work to be able to offer programs at this facility again.”
In the early stages of the pandemic, the building underwent a significant transformation to be able to support the community and accommodate a much-needed COVID-19 assessment centre, offering assessments to Londoners throughout the last few years. Over the course of time, this has meant a great deal of wear and tear, making upgrades and repairs necessary to return the facility to its intended uses, supporting the community and recreation programs that the neighbourhood has looked forward to.
An initial assessment of the building has indicated that floors will need to be repaired and replaced and an inspection and recommissioning of the indoor pool, electrical and mechanical systems is required. In addition, a thorough deep cleaning of the facility and the HVAC system will take place.
“Our commitment is to do this work as quickly as possible. If we can offer any limited free drop-in programs in the earlier stages of the assessments and repairs, we will do that,” said McGonigle. “This is a priority for us, but it is also critical that we are offering a safe facility for all.”
When the facility is back up and running, there will be an event to welcome residents and community members back later this fall.
More details regarding free drop-in programs, multi-week programs and a welcome back event will be shared as soon as they are confirmed.
About the facility
The Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre is a multipurpose facility featuring gymnasiums, meeting rooms, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and an aerobics studio. The community centre is ideal for large and small group gatherings, including meetings, birthday parties, special events, tournaments, receptions and training events. The facility operated as a COVID-19 assessment centre from March 2020 to August 2022.
