More arena plans announced
News
Posted By CATHY PELLETIER, THE CHRONICLE
Posted 1 month ago
Following last month's long-awaited official ground-breaking ceremonies for new arenas in Dunnville and Cayuga, construction crews are in full swing.
Everything's going according to schedule, said Project Manager, Phil Mete, and County staff are currently finalizing the detailed design in Dunnville.
"Foundation permits have already been submitted and we're working on construction drawings for the rest of the building," he said, adding user groups are in the midst of collaborating with the County to choose exterior colours.
Crews are currently completing earthworks and "have to bring the site up, so we'll be importing fill and in about two weeks, will start servicing" the site, he said.
Observers may have noticed that the Cayuga facility's construction seems to be slightly ahead of Dunnville's, but it's being done that way by design, noted Mete.
"Cayuga is approximately two to three weeks ahead on every stage, but it's done on purpose to create a smooth transition," he explained.
"When sub-trades are finished (in Cayuga), they will move over from one site to the next."
In addition, Dunnville is second in line "because there were a lot more changes and it's a more complicated facility."
Dunnville's new state-of-the- art building at 275 Ramsey Drive will boast an NHL-sized rink with heated, wheelchair-accessible seating, elevated walking track and ground floor community centre with large lobby and divider walls to accommodate multiple functions.
In order to qualify for full government funding, "We're still targeting meeting March 30, 2011 for substantial completion," said Mete, meaning "it has to be ready for ice" by that date, as well as meeting other criteria.
If all goes according to plan, the facility "will be ready for the fall season of skating in September of 2011/12."
Finishing touches -such as landscaping and final paving -may be completed afterward, he added.
Recreational Infrastructure Program government grants will contribute $2 million toward the project, while Haldimand County will kick in $8.5 million and the Let's ROC (Re-Energize Our Community) volunteer group has committed to raising the remaining $1.3 million through fundraising.
After five months on the campaign trail, a recent donation from EnerMin Solutions of Dunnville has placed them slightly over the one-million- dollar mark.
"We're awaiting word from the federal government on a grant proposal for the community centre," said Christine Boyko-Head, Chair of the Let's ROC organization.
"We hope the federal government understands that our business case was written with an eye on current and future needs -which are cultural, recreational and educational."
According to Mete, "The community centre will be managed by a separate community hall board under the current community hall model. The larger facility and modern amenities will require some minor operational adjustments" when completed, he added.
The entire building will be constructed according to silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, which includes the usage of natural light, better insulation, natural plantings and low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, carpeting and other materials.
The flooring where skaters walk will be made from recyclable materials. These and numerous other criteria are necessary to obtain the LEED designation, the minimum requirement for federal and provincial funding.
When factoring in, six new change rooms plus a separate one for females, as well as two referee rooms, offices for minor sports, figure skating and other groups, a spacious concession area, media room, first aid room, more washrooms and increased space for storage, the entire building will measure 50,000 square feet, a much larger space than Dunnville's current 33,000 square foot facility.
The Cayuga arena, which is approaching 60 years of age, will expand from 30,700 square feet to 53,800 square feet, and its ice surface will grow from 65 feet by 165 feet to a rink area measuring 85 feet by 200 feet, surrounded by six spacious change rooms, thus addressing many current concerns, such as forcing hockey teams to play in other communities due to lack of ice time.
Unlike Dunnville's design, Cayuga's meeting room and common viewing areas will be situated on the second level, above the main entrance lobby.
Other enhancements include increased parking, designated parking for buses, and rollup doors in the changerooms, allowing teams to converse.
In addition to creating temporary construction jobs within Haldimand and a potential for private sector jobs once it's up and running, the new arenas have contributed to the local economy, as construction materials and ancillary supplies are being purchased within the County whenever possible, said Mete.
