Daily Herald Contributor
Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne has expressed his delight at the rate of which the construction of the New Aquatic and Arenas Recreation Centre is coming along.
Dionne and other members of council were at the facility Friday morning as members of the media were given a tour.
“Our new recreation center is beautiful and more impressive up close and personal,” Dionne said. “We picked this location because of the space. There is 80 acres here on this site, we own 25 of them with more than enough car parking space and 55 acres of new businesses springing up here and there.
“When you can see the actual physical building coming up, it starts to feel a little bit more real than the long process of drawings and blueprints and that kind of thing,” he added.
Dionne said he is excited at how construction is going so far, and assured thos in attendance it would be ready for use sooner than expected.
Dionne also reiterated previous statements that a facility of this type is sorely needed.
“Now, we’re going to have our own competition pool and have an indoor pool here and hockey rinks … and that’s what attracts professional people,” he said.
The facility, after completion, will feature an eight-lane competitive pool in the aquatic area that will accommodate 200 spectators. The recreation area will feature a wave pool, lazy river, splash park and whirlpool.
“I am a very positive person, no matter what happens in my world. I always see the positive in it,” he said ln this facility we have partners, we have the federal government, we have the provincial government.” Dionne adds.
On the hockey side, the centre is equipped with Two NHL sized rinks of 200 feet by 85 feet with sitting capacity of 366 in one rink and 608 in the other, along with 6,720 square feet of players dressing rooms and 800 square feet of referee dressing rooms.
The mayor said the location selected for this facility was part of a larger vision for a commercial district that would attract new investment and new taxation revenue streams for the City.
City council was forced to increase spending on the project due to inflation. In June 22, the City announced the construction cost would be 35 per cent above the pre-tender estimate. The City responded by reducing $7 million in build costs, and increasing borrowing from $30 million to $46 million.
“We live in a reality that’s just the way the market and the prices of construction are now,” Dione said. “These prices are not going to come down. The world has changed.”
Nykol Miller, Prince Albert city Capital Project Manager, said the cost of the project is still within budget.
She also said the City will still have a few final items to look after once the contractors are finished.
“The completion of the project is still forecasted to be done at the end of 2024 or early 2025, but after that the city gets the keys for it,” she said. “Currently it’s under the general contractors and then we will have to come in to fit up, do training operations, (and) get everything ready for the public to be able to use it.”
Dionne said this centre will serve as a hub of recreation and entertainment services for residents and visitors.
“The new recreation facility will add to our City’s capacity to host more events and offer modern facilities for all who attend sporting events in Prince Albert,” he concluded.
Media were invited to tour the new facility Friday morning. Member of the public will have an opportunity to tour selected parts of the facility on Sunday, Sept. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 6 from 1-4 p.m.
Tours will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Residents will have to sign a waiver form before taking the tour, as the facility is still an active construction site.
The tour is free of charge and will last around 10-15 minutes.
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