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A recreation centre complex being proposed for Sundre would generate large economic spinoffs for Sundre businesses and would likely lead to a growth in the town’s population.

That’s the message Mike Beukeboom, one of the organizers of the Sundre Sports, Health and Wellness Institute proposal, told Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce members last week.

"There is an incredible economic opportunity here and this is a chance to grow responsibly," said Beukeboom. "We need some new industries in town and one thing about athletics is it brings in the kind of folks that you want around, with motivated families and motivated kids, people interested in bettering themselves.

"For me, as a community member, those are the kinds of things I’d like to see our community strive for and grow towards."

The centre could include two Olympic-size ice sheets, indoor soccer and lacrosse boxes, running tracks and multi-use rooms, training and weight rooms, retail space, spectator facilities, accommodation facilities, and food and nutrition services.

Beukeboom and ‘Jungle’ Jim Hunter Management are spearheading the proposal. The Sundre Fitness Development Society (SFDS) has also been established to work on the project.

No town council decision has been made to proceed with the centre construction, and no contract has been signed between the parties involved. Once up and running the centre complex could host dozens of hockey, basketball, volleyball and other tournaments, generating, in turn, customer traffic at local shops, restaurants, motels and hotels, and other facilities, Beukeboom told chamber members.

As far as financing the project, he said a number of as-yet unnamed investors have already expressed interest in becoming involved.

"Where we are right now is the town council and Jim Hunter Management is negotiating a term sheet, which is essentially an agreement on how they will move forward as partners in this project. It’s nothing that is overly complicated but it is something that is very important.

"Once that’s done then Jim will bring forward a business plan and it will be a business plan that will be investor ready. So whether there are individuals or groups in this community that want to become a part of this project that could become available at that time.

"At the same time Jim has already been talking to a few people with very, very, very deep pockets who are based out of Calgary and other places around Canada."

On Feb. 22, councillors passed a motion that reads: "That administration be directed in conjunction with legal counsel to work with the developer Jungle Jim Hunter Management Ltd to develop a term sheet outlining any key business terms and timelines associated with the Sundre Sports, Health and Wellness Institute to be brought back to council for further consideration."

Work on putting that term sheet together is now underway. No details of the term sheet have so far been made public.

Asked if organizers have a location picked out for the facility, Beukeboom said although an exact spot hasn’t been chosen he would like to see it located fairly close to the schools.

He called on chamber members and other residents to encourage politicians at all levels to support the project.

Former chamber president Jim Eklund has been appointed to be the chamber’s liaison with Beukeboom and Hunter.