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The existing Winona Community Centre, utilizing the site of the former Winona Public School on Winona Road.

Mac Christie /The Hamilton Spectator

In Winona, the new facility is planned for the current home of Winona Community Centre, a 2.9-hectare site on Winona Road, Walton confirmed.

The Winona site may be a little more difficult than Glanbrook or Waterdown, because it involves replacing the existing building and disrupting programming, Walton said.

Ward 10 Coun. Jeff Beattie said people in the Winona area have been “waiting for a really long time” for a rec centre.

“It’s a really big deal for the Winona community,” he said, adding there are people who bought homes 20 years ago and were told a rec centre was imminent. In particular, Beattie said the pool is going to be “an unbelievable community asset.”

City staff have suggested the former school building — and current community centre — on the Winona site may have to be demolished to make way for the new building. However, Beattie said both he and residents would prefer the new building to be constructed behind the former school.

“My preference and what I’m really emphasizing with staff is, look at all possible options to keep as much programming in the building as possible while construction of the new facility is undertaken,” he said.

Beattie also hopes to partner at the site with the Hamilton Public Library to bring a library back to Winona — something the community lost in amalgamation.

Beattie said the project is a “top priority” — both for him and the community, adding the area is expected to add 10,000 to 15,000 residents over the next five to 10 years.

“We really have to get these new facilities moving quickly and construction underway as quick as possible so that we’re not behind the eight ball when we have all of these additional residents moving in.”