A new community campus in Stratford, P.E.I., is progressing towards realization, with the exception of the wellness center, which is still in the fundraising phase from both provincial and federal sources. Situated between the Stratford Business Park and the Bunbury Road, the site is bustling with activity as construction crews convert approximately 170 acres of land into a sports and cultural focal point for the town, east of Charlottetown.
Mayor Steve Ogden expressed excitement about the project, labeling it as the town’s most significant initiative to date. The campus’s centerpiece is the town’s inaugural high school, currently being built and slated to welcome students in fall 2027.
The campus will feature six soccer fields, three baseball fields, and a cricket field. Progress on the ball diamonds includes fencing installation, with plans to add lighting by late November or early December. Jeremy Pierce, the town’s director of recreation, culture, and events, mentioned that preparations for amenities like scoreboards and bleachers are underway, with the fields expected to open to the public by early spring.
The proposed wellness center, a major attraction, is still in the conceptual stage. Mayor Ogden mentioned the large-scale nature of the project, estimated at over $60 million, with hopes for funding announcements from the federal and provincial governments. The center’s facilities would encompass two ice surfaces, an indoor turf field, cultural spaces, and a youth center, subject to financial support.
The wellness center’s construction timeline is projected to span approximately three years upon securing funding. It is planned to be located across from the high school, catering to around 600 students upon its opening. The campus also includes provisions for a junior high school in the future, with funding already allocated in the province’s 2025-2026 capital budget.
Additionally, a standalone pickleball facility, funded privately by a company that acquired two acres of land from the town, is part of the campus. With a current population of about 12,500 residents, Stratford is experiencing rapid growth and is expected to double in size over the next decade.