The future of the Mount Forest Community Centre is once again under review, with the Township of Wellington North closing the aging facility while officials take a closer look at its condition.
CAO Brooke Lambert says the decision reflects long-standing concerns about the building, which dates back more than 50 years.
"The Mount Forest Community Centre is over 50-plus years old and was nearing end of life when it was initially closed in 2008," Lambert explained. "When the Township reassumed management of the facility in 2025 we conducted several assessments...and identified some updates that were made, focusing on the safety and security of the building."
Since taking over operations, the township has continued to monitor the building, but Lambert says it became clear a deeper review was needed.
"Staff have continued to monitor the condition of the building and felt that it was time for a more comprehensive assessment," she said.
While there wasn’t a single incident that forced the closure, Lambert says the strain of keeping the building running (especially through the winter months) played a role.
"This past winter was a strain on the facility and its ongoing operation has become progressively more impractical," she said. "Staff have also raised operational concerns related to rentals...such that it has been determined that it is appropriate to close the Mount Forest Community Centre on an interim basis."
In recent years, the township had already been scaling back how the space could be used, limiting bookings and restricting certain activities as the building continued to age.
The current review will involve multiple municipal departments, including building and fire officials, with the possibility of bringing in outside experts if needed. Findings are expected to be presented to council in the coming weeks.
Lambert says there is no early estimate yet on what repairs or upgrades might cost, but the broader goal is to give council a clearer picture of the facility’s future.
"We are hoping to bring a comprehensive report on the future of the Mount Forest Community Centre later in 2026," she said.
For now, the facility will remain closed as that work continues, leaving its long-term future uncertain.
