City hiring contractor to assess conditions, recommend upgrades at nine indoor arenas

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/07/2023 (812 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg is putting nine arenas under the microscope, to explore how best to update the aging facilities and how much that would cost.

The municipal government is seeking a contractor to complete building-condition assessments at nine city-owned arenas, which are operated by community centres or sports associations, as part of an effort to revamp recreation options throughout Winnipeg.

The affected rinks include those at:

• Allard Arena,
• Dakota Community Centre,
• Garden City Community Centre,
• Gateway Community Centre,
• Glenwood Community Centre,
• Maples Community Centre,
• Richmond Kings Community Centre,
• St. Norbert Community Centre and
• West Kildonan Memorial Community Centre.

For years, the city has acknowledged that many municipal rec facilities have seen better days. At an average of 35 years old, this particular set of rinks is generally newer than city-operated facilities but also includes some built in the 1960s.

“Based on the age of the various buildings, many building systems and components will have exceeded their expected lifespan. This is a common reality among the city’s building inventory,” a city request for proposals notes.

Last year, council dedicated $8 million of provincial recreation funding to renovate, repair and maintain existing arenas, which is available for the recommended projects.

“Through the scope of work included in this RFP, the public service is seeking to assess the best use of this dedicated funding,” wrote city spokesman Kalen Qually, in an emailed statement.

Coun. Brian Mayes, who championed that funding commitment, said it is intended to enhance arenas throughout the city to benefit every ward.

“The motion said every ward gets some work, so if you don’t have a city arena, it’s a community centre arena (in or near your ward),” said Mayes.

The St. Vital councillor noted the city previously devoted about $3.3 million from the funding to repair rinks the city both owns and operates, leaving about $4.7 million available for improvements at other arenas.

“We’ve got a fleet of aging arenas, let’s put some money into them. We couldn’t build a single new (ice) sheet for $8 million, so why don’t we repair what we’ve got? People will squeeze another 20 years out of some of these places,” said Mayes.

He said the well-used facilities are a key part of the “community fabric” of Winnipeg, with many folks relying on them for hockey, ringette and skating lessons.

The winner of the building assessment contract is expected to make recommendations for maintenance and repairs, which may be needed to meet building codes, improve accessibility or increase energy efficiency. The contractor will complete a facility renewal plan, with detailed cost estimates, that ranks potential repairs by level of urgency.

An audit is expected to help select new energy-efficiency options.

“We do want to do at least some of this (to be) energy (efficiency) work…. Some of these old arenas soak up a lot of energy. We could probably do better,” said Mayes.

The city expects to pay up to $450,000 for the contract and award it by Nov. 2.

Recommendations for repairs are expected by the spring or summer next year, noted Qually.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga