by Betty Bardswich with files from Tom Sasvari and Alicia McCutcheon
MINDEMOYA – Central Manitoulin council called a special meeting November 7 to approve the funding application for a new community arena.
Mayor Richard Stephens began by saying that the recommendation was to proceed with a multi-use complex to be built in Mindemoya. He thanked Councillor Angela Johnston for the great job done by the recreation committee, which she leads, but noted that the cost is more than what Tulloch Engineering’s feasibility study had quoted, although the features are the same.
Tulloch Engineering has explained that the resulting multi-plex, if the government grant is approved, will “allow for continued growth during all seasons for the community’s sports and recreation activities, educational training and a place to host large social gatherings and community events. Given the large scale of the proposed facility, the baseball diamonds will be located further north to ensure proper use and circulation on the site. In addition to these site alterations, the existing J.H. Burt Memorial Arena, farmers’ market and Old School will need to be demolished for servicing the parking required for the facility.” The new facility will be adjoined to the Mindemoya War Memorial Community Hall and will provide accessibility to both.
The draft capital operating plan shown to council shows total project capital expenditures slated at $15,185,908. The Central Manitoulin loan payment will be based on the principal amount of $3,550,082 at a 3.07 percent amortized rate over 25 years. Operating costs have been figured at $6 per square foot with the facility to be 45,000 square feet.
Councillor Dale Scott said he was concerned that the contingency cost was projected at 25 percent. Central Manitoulin municipal co-ordinator Brad Christanson responded by saying that this amount should be 10 percent.
Council then discussed the cost of upgrading the existing arenas and the Old School with Councillor Steve Shaffer saying that engineering reports going back to 2015 for the Providence Bay arena and recently, the Mindemoya arena, show the combined totals are $4.3 million for accessibility and structural upgrades. Mayor Stephens noted that the cost is the same amount for the municipality for the upgrades and for the new facility.
“How are we going to spend it?” he asked. “Brand new or patch the existing facilities?”
Councillor Shaffer responded by saying he had wanted to know if the municipality could afford to run and maintain the new facility. He therefore went ahead to say that he wanted to put forward a motion to proceed with the grant submission.
Mayor Stephens then said, “Even if we do get approval of the funds, it’s no guarantee that we are going to proceed,” adding that council would do what is beneficial to the community. Councillor Derek Stephens took issue with this, saying, “I disagree. If we get the funds, I think we should proceed. Why would we not proceed?” adding that the multi-plex would last for the next 30 to 50 years and would improve the community.
Councillor Dale Scott noted that council could only afford to retrofit one arena, saying, “Funds would not have covered more than one arena.”
Council Al Tribinevicius asked if the NHL-size ice surface was the correct way to go as international arenas are larger and Mr. Christanson answered in the affirmative. The International Ice Hockey Federation is actually looking at moving its venues to NHL-size rinks, he explained.
Councillor Tribinevicius then said, “I am in favour of proceeding.”
The vote was called with Councillor Stephens asking for a recorded vote. Council voted unanimously to proceed with the application for the grant for a Mindemoya multi-plex facility.
The Town of Gore Bay and the Northeast Town are also seeking funds through Infrastructure Canada’s Investing in Canada Plan.
As reported by the Manitoulin West Recorder, Tulloch Engineering provided an estimate for renovations to the Gore Bay arena, and a new chiller, with a preliminary estimated cost of $618,000. This would include repairs to the foundation walls and replacement of floor slabs, investigation into existing pier foundations, reinforcing the lobby roof framing including new roofing and structural upgrades and roof repair where damages at the ice resurfacer and refrigeration plant have been uncovered.
Gore Bay has received support for this project from neighbouring municipalities Billings, Gordon-Barrie and, council is hopeful, Burpee and Mills.
The Northeast Town is also applying in the hopes of receiving funds for a 60- x 50-foot addition to the recreation centre. The addition would house an indoor children’s play area and exercise and walking area for senior citizens.
