A $2 million renovation project for Wallaceburg Memorial Arena received unanimous approval on Monday night.
Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley told the Sydenham Current he’s thrilled the project is moving forward.
“Great news for Wallaceburg,” Wesley said.
“The arena will get new dressing rooms, larger canteen area, new entrance and lobby… in essence very much like a new arena. Overdue but very welcome.”
The staff recommendation was approved with a 16-0 vote on Monday night, January 29.
“Great team effort with myself, Counc. (Carmen) McGregor and Mayor Hope working together to get council support,” Wesley said.
“A great project that will benefit minor hockey, figure skating… the Lakers and lacrosse.”
A staff report indicates back on November 3, 2017, building design concepts for the Wallaceburg Arena renovation project, prepared by ROAstudio Inc., was approved by council.
These design concepts, include:
– Expand the front lobby area and build new fully accessible male/female washrooms as well as a family change room.
– Install a new elevator, modify upstairs area to accept elevator entrance into the Jack Bachus Mezzanine, utilize former sports store area to house the mechanical/elevator enclosure.
– Reconfigure the dressing rooms on the west side, keeping the one furthest south and removing the other two to be replaced by a canteen area – this expands the canteen reception and service area to improve accessibility and functionality.
– Build three new dressing rooms on the west side of the building.
– Develop an ice level viewing area for spectators with limited mobility that supports full viewing of the ice surface.
The design and drawings, tender process, council approval, and contractor preparation is expected to be complete by the end of June this year.
A staff report says the dressing room additions are expected to take place between July 1, 2018 and April 1, 2019.
The lobby renovations will take place between April 1, 2019 and September 1, 2019.
“This schedule will not displace ice users,” staff said in a report.
“The Wallaceburg Red Devils Lacrosse team has been consulted and will be accommodated in Dresden for their 2019 season.”
A total of $1.2 million of the project will be funded through the 2018 arena lifecycle budget, while the remaining $800,000 will be funded through the 2019 arena lifecycle budget.
“It is not anticipated there will be significant additional operating expenses due to the usage of energy efficient components,” staff said in a report.
Jane McGee, supervisor of recreation facilities in Wallaceburg, told the Sydenham Current back in November the changes would be a great asset and will enhance the facility.
“It allows freer movement in congested areas, it provides an elevator access to the upstairs, which we don’t presently have,” she said.
“So if you have any mobility issues or limitations, getting up the stairs is difficult. It would also allow for a fully accessible washroom to be incorporated.”
McGee said the upgrades would open opportunities for people to use the arena that might not have been able to in the past.
She said it will create more viewing opportunities for some of the arena’s regular tenants: the Wallaceburg Lakers, Red Devils, minor hockey and lacrosse, figure skating, etc.
“And let’s face it, when you bring people from out of town into your building and you’re continually showing that you are investing in the building and you’re making upgrades and you’re keeping up with the demand and requirements of the building, people see that and they think ‘wow, progressive community, that’s nice to see.’”
Here are photos of the schematic design concepts approved back in November:
