A new municipal report is recommending the next steps for several key Chatham civic properties as construction of the Chatham-Kent Community Hub continues toward its anticipated completion in early 2028.
A report to council from Infrastructure and Engineering Services General Manager Edward Soldo recommends administration be directed to bring forward reports on relocating Fire Station No. 1 and redeveloping the former Children’s Treatment Centre. It also recommends obtaining updated property appraisals in 2027 for the Civic Centre, Chatham library, library parking lot and Fire Station No. 1 to support the future sale of those properties.
Council approved construction of the new Chatham-Kent Community Hub in October 2025. The facility at 130 King St. W. will bring together the Civic Centre, Chatham branch of the Chatham-Kent Public Library and the Chatham-Kent Museum into one accessible and energy-efficient building.
The report says planning is already underway for the transition to the new facility, with a staged move expected to minimize disruptions to municipal services. Customer service, ServiceOntario and library operations will be relocated in a way that limits public closures, with more details expected in 2027.
The report also advances plans to relocate Fire Station No. 1, a recommendation contained in the municipality’s Fire Master Plan approved in 2024. After evaluating several possible sites based on emergency response times, land availability, servicing and environmental considerations, administration has identified a portion of the former St. Ursula property at 426 Lacroix St. as the preferred location.
Demolition of the former school is underway. The report says the proposed fire station would front onto Lacroix Street, while the remainder of the 4.44-acre site would be redeveloped for affordable and market housing. A report seeking approval to retain a consultant for site planning and preliminary design is expected to come before council in September, with public consultation included in the process. Construction is anticipated in 2027 and 2028 following completion of the community hub.
The municipality is also proposing to convert the existing Children’s Treatment Centre building into a centralized Community Safety Centre once the agency moves into its new facility later this year.
According to the report, the renovated building would house Fire Services administrative offices, the Chatham-Kent Police Service’s Emergency Communications Centre, investigative services, the mobile crisis unit, paramedic services and a dedicated Emergency Operations Centre. Victim Services and the Chatham-Kent collision reporting centre would also operate from the building.
The report says consolidating emergency services in one adapted facility would improve operational efficiency, reduce the need for new standalone buildings and eliminate costs associated with leased space. A report recommending the hiring of a consultant for site planning and preliminary design is expected to come before council in August or September.
The report also addresses the future disposition of the Civic Centre, library and Fire Station No. 1 once operations move to the new community hub.
Professional appraisals completed in 2022 estimated the Civic Centre at $6.6 million, the Chatham library at $1.656 million and Fire Station No. 1 at $1.1 million. The council-approved financing plan for the community hub includes $9.356 million in revenue from the future sale of the Civic Centre, library, library parking lot and Fire Station No. 1.
Administration says updated appraisals will be completed in 2027 before council considers the future sale of the properties, which would ultimately be listed on the open market to attract the highest bids. The report notes that recommendations on the future use of the buildings will be brought forward following additional stakeholder engagement and analysis.
The report is on the Council agenda for Monday, July 13, 2026.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Civic Centre in Chatham.
