Silverwoods Park & Arena/Community Centre Redevelopment

About the project

The City of London is working to revitalize Silverwoods Park and make upgrades to the existing indoor space at the arena. This will ensure local residents and existing user-groups from other nearby communities have a welcoming space with updated sport and recreation amenities.

The ice at Silverwoods Arena was removed in 2019 following the opening of Bostwick Arena. Since that time, the cement dry pad rink has been continually used for various sport activities and events. This indoor space has become a vital recreation asset and an upgrade to the building is now required.

The wading pool at Silverwoods Park.

The scope of this project will focus on the following over the next three years:

1. re-development of the park block
2. pool life-cycle renewal improvements
3. updates to the arena to create a community centre

The park re-development

The improvements to the park will:

• replace aged park infrastructure such as pathways and playground
• keep the existing wading pool (based on public feedback)
• improve accessibility
• re-design, expand, or re-locate the parking lot

New park amenities will also be discussed with residents and feedback will be collected.

The facility work

Silverwoods Pool and Arena will also be updated with several improvements.

The work to Silverwoods Pool will:

• fill in the diving well (complete)
• install concrete stairs with railings (complete)
• upgrade the fieldhouse washroom (complete)
• upgrade the filter room (design to be completed in 2024 and construction in 2025)

The work to Silverwoods Arena/Community Centre will:

• upgrade the building’s heating and cooling
• improve accessibility
• replace the roof

Design concepts

The two alternative designs are similar in nature but there are subtle differences in layout, arrangement and impact on the site. Based on the feedback received, City staff will gather that information and select a preferred design alternative.

We are currently accepting comments about the current design concept drawings through a feedback form, which will close at 4:30 p.m. on October 31, 2024. If you need information in an alternate format, please contact the project coordinator John Griffin at jgriffin@london.ca or by phone at 519-661-2489 x 4288.

Please note: Certain aspects of the proposed site elements could potentially be developed and implemented as a second phase of the project, based on available budget.

Design Concept 1

• Improved parking layout, location and number of parking spaces on the site (130 spaces)
• Improved pathway / sidewalk network and accessibility around parking lot
• Improved delivery access to the existing building
• Remove existing parking lot and driveway access on the north side of the building
• 6 pickleball courts with lights
• 2 tennis courts with lights
• 6m x 6m Sun Shelter adjacent to pickleball courts
• Seating areas adjacent to sports courts
• Retain cricket field as shown
• Cricket viewing areas with table and bleacher seating in 1 or 2 locations
• Proposed netting around the southwest aspect of the cricket field to prevent balls from conflicting with other uses on the site
• Existing wading pool to remain on the site
• New district level playground area between cricket field and wading pool
  • Complete with seating/gathering area(s), sun shelter and tree plantings and swing set
• Improved pathway network / circulation through the site
• Proposed small parking area along Ash Street to improve access to the pool building
• Naturalization areas are being discussed with Park operations and may occur periodically around the perimeter of the site
• Tree planting

Design Concept 2

• Improved parking layout, location and number of parking spaces on the site (130 spaces)
• Improved pathway / sidewalk network and accessibility around parking lot
• Improved delivery access to the existing building
• Remove existing parking lot and driveway access on the north side of the building
• 4 pickleball courts with lights
• 2 tennis courts with lights
• Cantilevered sun shelter adjacent to tennis courts
• Retain cricket field as shown
• Cricket viewing area with table and bleacher seating
• Proposed netting around the south west aspect of the cricket field to prevent balls from conflicting with other uses on the site
• Existing wading pool to remain on the site
• New district level playground area between cricket field and wading pool
  • Complete with seating/gathering area(s), sun shelter and tree plantings and swing set
• Improved pathway network / circulation through the site
• Proposed small parking area along Ash Street to improve access to the pool building
• Naturalization areas are being discussed with Park operations and may occur periodically around the perimeter of the site
• Tree planting

Public meetings

City staff are engaging with residents in the neighbourhood regarding the park re-development.

The first in-person, drop-in public meeting happened on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Crouch Branch Library, located at 550 Hamilton Road. This facility is wheelchair accessible.

The second public meeting was held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Crouch Branch Library.