CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - The City of Charlottetown has applied for federal funding to replace two of its aging arenas and a swimming pool and create an artificial turf field.
The replacement of Simmons Sport Centre and Cody Banks Arena are on this year’s list of Build Canada Fund capital projects that city council recently approved.
It would cost $19 million to replace the two arenas with the cost broken down three ways — the city would be responsible for $5.8 million, the province would pay $6.2 million while the federal government would contribute $7.4 million.
The city also wants to replace the swimming pool at Simmons. It would cost $1.3 million with the cost split three ways again — the city coming in at $412,000, the province at 440,000 and the federal government at $528,000.
The arena was built in 1972 while the pool was put in three years later.
The plan is also to replace the existing grass field at Simmons with an artificial turf field. A new artificial turf field would cost $3.6 million with the city contributing just over $1 million, the province chipping in $1.1 million and the federal government contributing $1.4 million.
The rink plan would be to design and construct a new twin-pad arena. Proposed amenities include two ice pads at 200 by 85 feet, a seating capacity for 500 people at each pad, dressing and official rooms, a community meeting room, indoor walking track, canteen, parking and access to greenspace.
“It’s no secret that Simmons arena and Simmons pool are at the end of their lifespan. I think we need to do our due diligence and look at all our options.’’
-Coun. Mitchell Tweel
The first step is to get the funding approved. Next would be determining, if Simmons and Cody Banks are getting replaced, where the new arena would be built. The third step would be construction, and the final move would be decommissioning the old Simmons and Cody Banks arenas.
The city says the pool would be constructed at the existing location, adding that the existing pool is in extremely poor condition.
An engineer’s report said water is leaking out of the pool and into the foundation of the Simmons arena.
Mayor Philip Brown told The Guardian that he is going to be pushing council hard on these projects, going so far as to say Simmons needs to be replaced immediately although a decision as to exactly when will rest with council.
Coun. Mitchell Tweel, chairman of the parks and recreation committee, concurs.
“It’s no secret that Simmons arena and Simmons pool are at the end of their lifespan,’’ Tweel said. “I think we need to do our due diligence and look at all our options.’’
Tweel said he would like to see a new NHL-size ice surface at a new Simmons.
Tweel said while the need to replace Simmons is immediate, he doesn’t see Cody Banks Arena going anywhere for the foreseeable future.
“Senior administration (with the city) made a presentation to us that Cody Banks is in much better shape than Simmons. There’s much more longevity to Cody Banks. Cody Banks will stand for now.’’
Brown said replacing Cody Banks Arena may end up being put on hold until the province gets around to building a new Sherwood Elementary School, which is adjacent to the arena. Both could happen at the same time, in other words.
So, there is a scenario that could see a new twin-pad arena built while Cody Banks remains standing, giving the city three community ice surfaces.
Brown said there are decisions that have to be made, and nothing can start until funding is approved.
