Post by Rick (Admin) on Jan 29, 2013 20:45:36 GMT -5
Quad pad wanted: study
NORTH BAY - Replacing Pete Palangio and West Ferris arenas with a $41-million quad pad facility at Memorial Gardens is one of the top ranked options for addressing the city's future recreational needs, a consultant told council Monday.
“It's what your residents are looking for,” said Steve Langlois, of Monteith-Brown Planning Consultants, who provided city politicians with a final report on the Multi-Use Recreational Facility Feasibility Study which began last year.
He said creating a four-pad ice facility at Memorial Gardens received strong community support as part of the study, which included public meetings, telephone surveys and user group interviews.
The only option to rank higher on the public's priority list was upgrades at the Gardens, which are already in the works as part of the agreement to bring an Ontario Hockey League team to the city.
The study, which was conducted before that agreement was reached, offers the city several scenarios for upgrading or replacing its arenas, including $6 million in improvements to Memorial Gardens.
Although not as extensive as the $12-million renovation that's already planned, the improvements proposed by the study include accessibility upgrades, an expanded ice surface, new seating and two additional change rooms.
“We feel that the contents of the study still remain relevant,” said Langlois, referring to the city's decison to move ahead with renovations at Memorial Gardens before the completion of the study.
Council heard that the construction of a quad pad facility would likely cost about $41 million, down from a previous estimate of $47 million due to the work that's expected to take place at the Gardens.
Council members were also told the city could expect to save as much as $600,000 in annual operating costs if were to move ahead with a quad pad facility and decommission the Pete Palangio and West Ferris arenas. Current annual operating costs for the city's four existing ice pads total about $1.1 million.
Other options include $11.4 million in upgrades at Pete Palangio; $6.3 in upgrades at West Ferris; $26.4 million to replace Pete Palangio with a new twin pad; and $21.6 million to replace West Ferris by twining Memorial Gardens. The study also offers various offers options for indoor turf involving installing bubble over an artificial field or building a permanent facility. Costs range from $5.5 million to $13 million.
Langlois reiterated that the study has found there is no need for an additional ice pads in the city.
Council heard that both West Ferris and Pete Palangio arenas don’t have any immediate structural problems, but are obsolete by today's standards.
Members also heard that the intent of the study is to help council devise a long-term plan to address the city recreational needs and that government support, partnerships and contributions from users will be needed despite any of the options.
Council is expected to vote next week on a recommendation to direct city to staff to prepare a report on the various options presented in the study.
www.nugget.ca/2013/01/29/quad-pad-wanted-study
