Chatham-Kent Council has awarded a contract of just over $39 million for the construction of its new community hub.

The municipality awarded the contract to Tecumseh’s Fortis Construction Group Inc. The company’s bid was $3.6 million under the estimated construction cost.

Construction work is expected to start in December.

The new community hub will bring together the Chatham Civic Centre, Chatham Branch of the Chatham-Kent Public Library, and the Chatham-Kent Museum into a single facility at 130 King St. West.

Mayor Darrin Canniff said this decision represents a major step forward for the community.

“This is an exciting moment for Chatham-Kent,” he said. “The community hub will be a cornerstone for civic life. It will be a place that connects our residents to services, culture, learning, and community.”

Construction is expected to be completed by early 2028, with the facility opening shortly afterward. The project is designed to meet the highest standards for accessibility, energy efficiency, and public service delivery, while consolidating key municipal and cultural services under one roof.

The project, which the municipality calls on of the most significant in its history, is being funded through a combination of property sales, existing reserves, and long-term financing within the municipality’s existing budget, and will therefore require no new property tax increases.