The other day I was talking to a couple of parents while watching a futsal (indoor soccer) match. All three of us are active in youth sports, and two of the three (not so much me) are physically active themselves. We were talking about the things our community still lacks. Reflecting on that conversation, it struck me that many of these ideas have been discussed for more than the two decades I’ve lived here.
When we moved our family to our now hometown with three kids (later a fourth arrived) in tow, we were drawn to it by the housing prices, the appeal of small-town life, and the talk of bigger things happening. Through my involvement with my kids’ activities, there were many discussions and plans for projects that would benefit people of all ages.
An idea I was particularly interested in — and a bit involved with — was the plan to build a multi-sports field house with indoor soccer space, a tennis court, a community room, and possibly even a small running track. This would enable four-season recreation and sport, something many nearby communities are already investing in to meet growing demand. These types of facilities also attract and grow local populations.
The plan was unsuccessful in attracting government funding when it was proposed. Instead, a recreation study happened, followed by the pandemic. The result was the plan quietly disappeared, and apathy re-appeared. There seems to be little will to do something new or bold. Our town continues to pour millions into a 60-plus-year-old arena, and that is the highlight.
During that conversation at the soccer game, we even envisioned an old warehouse or factory space being re-purposed and briefly discussed how it might be done. Leaving that conversation, I found myself thinking about two things: how long it would take to come to fruition, and whether I was willing to invest years helping make it a reality. My conclusion is it would take too long — and I am unwilling to do my part to make it a reality.
I live in a community with many municipal buildings, but most are ill-suited for the kinds of recreation many people want. This could be labelled apathy to change, an unwillingness to finance the future, or simply the reality that it is a lot of work and will take time. I am no longer willing to make waves or wait for others to act.
While my example and thoughts are about recreation and sport, this can be extended to arts, entertainment, and culture.
Another way to look at it is the sheer variety of ways a multi-use facility could actually be used in everyday life. It’s not just about organized sports or arts programs — it could host after-school activities, weekend pick-up games, community workshops, fitness classes for all ages, and even casual social gatherings. Families could drop in during off-peak hours, seniors could use it for gentle exercise, and local clubs could run events without worrying about limited space. The reality is that the community could make use of these facilities every single day, if they existed.
For years, communities have tried to define what they want to be. Many in Eastern Ontario have decided their towns will cater primarily to retirees. Amenities are centred around that demographic. Housing is geared toward downsizing rather than growing families. Services lean more toward health care than quality of life.
There is the argument that community is what you make it, and that is true to a point. You need a critical mass of like-minded people to make a community the way you want it, though, and in small towns, that is rare.
What happens if the people looking toward retirement do not want to retire to a retirement community? What if they want an active community? That is the $64 question I — and perhaps others approaching a certain milestone — have to grapple with.
This column was published in the March 18, 2026 print edition of The Leader.
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