Council will be considering bringing ice back to a former hockey arena today that was converted into a multi-use space.
But the staff report regarding the reverse of course at the Simcoe Rec Centre paints a costly picture as it says the county will have to spend over $2 million on refrigeration and a new ice floor, plus other costs for equipment and storage.
Staff was asked about flooring that could be put on top of the ice as well, so that it could be transformed into a multi-use space with the ice was not in use.
That too, according to the report, would come with a hefty price tag and a lot of man power.
The report also noted that the change would impact current users like the seniors’ center and groups using the space for sports like pickleball, baseball, and roller derby practice – attaching petitions by some of these groups.
The report, however, does not state how many individuals expressed interest in turning the facility back to it’s ice roots.
When a survey was released on the matter, several hockey groups advocated for players, coaches, and families to fill it out and request the space be reverted back to ice.
Though, at the time, staff was quick to note that they did not believe this was an option.
A deputation was made on the matter as well.
Below are some of the financial points in the report.
Councillor Alan Duthie, who has been spearheading this movement, did question at a previous meeting some of the preliminary costing estimates to do this project.
He had previously asked if equipment that was used in this facility prior to it’s conversation could be reinstalled, and notes that it’s bones are made for a hockey arena so it would not be a complete change to the structure of the building but a return to it’s original use.
- Purchase/installation of refrigeration equipment and required replacement of ice rink floor – $2,100,000 to $3,000,000
- Purchase of new ice resurfacing equipment – $180,000
- Purchase of a Rubber Ice covering – $224,000
- Installation requirements – 2 to 3 hours, 8 to 10 staff to install and/or remove each time the ice pad was covered – $700-$1,300 per installation/removal (estimated)
- Purchase of Sports Flooring to make the floor multi-purpose – $125,000
- Installation requirements – 2 to 3 hours, 3 to 4 staff to install and/or remove each time the ice pad was covered – $300-$500 per installation/removal (estimated)
- Additional equipment required to assist with installation and removal of both floors (which the County would be required to purchase or rent) – forklift, racking
for flooring when not in use – $100,000 (estimate only as racking would be dependent on flooring system purchased) - Storage space would be needed to keep the flooring when not in use – $200,000 -$400,000 (estimate only as many factors would need to be considered as there
is no current space for storage and it is expected that an addition would be required. Property is also owned by the Fair Board)
Written by Matt LeBlanc