While council voted 14-4 in favour of the construction tender last week, the debate over Chatham-Kent’s community hub rages on.

Council approved the $39.3-million construction tender, with the overall project budget pegged at $52.8 million, including about $7 million in contingency funds.

The hub will bring together a new civic centre, library and museum at the former Sears location in the Downtown Chatham Centre.

Work is expected to start in December, with completion expected in early 2028.

Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy, a hub opponent, emailed media last Thursday expressing his disappointment with council and municipal staff, and his skepticism of the project’s costs.

“Council’s decision did not reflect what I have been hearing since this hub proposal began,” Bondy wrote. “It is unf

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