While user groups at the Canmore Rec Centre may not have gotten everything they asked for when it comes to the upcoming $10 million project to fix the aged facility, better accessible seating has been included in the design as a result of their input.
User groups, like minor and junior hockey, gymnastics, and figure skating that use the rec centre, asked to have input included in the design of the project to fix the facility.
The Canmore Rec Centre lifecycle maintenance project has been on the long-term capital plan ever since the municipality first proposed Elevation Place as a major new aquatic and recreation facility.
But the hodgepodge way the rec centre developed over time – first built as an ice arena and community hall in the ‘80s, with a pool added and finally a second ice rink – has created a headache for those who operate and maintain it.
One of the municipality’s largest facilities, the rec centre has needed repairs to its mechanical systems, roof structure and ice plant for several years. A full building condition assessment in 2015 found it would take all of the $10 million budgeted for the project to fix the multiple issues it faces as an ice arena, community recreation centre and workplace. The Town spent $915,000 in 2016 on the detailed design of the project as well.
However, when council was presented with the final design in June this year, recreation user groups spoke up, asking for their needs to be considered in how the major construction project was handled.
Facilities project manager Kristine Baine presented the results of two meetings with user groups to get feedback and said changes were accommodated where possible and revised drawings prepared.
“Currently, there are no financial impacts outside the original project budget,” Baine said. “We appreciate the valuable feedback we have received and the changes to the design moving forward.
“Not everything could be incorporated, but we are proceeding with a design that incorporates as much as possible.”
The lifecycle maintenance project originally set out to provide structural enhancements to Alex Kaleta Arena, a replacement of the ice plant, new HVAC and mechanical systems, an indoor snow melt pit for the Kaleta arena, a new elevator, dressing room improvements, renovation of old pool washrooms into public washrooms with separate facilities for gymnastics, improved heating in arena seating areas, and relocated and expanded offices upstairs.
The change to office areas on the second level included moving the community hall into the Peaks of Grassi gym space, relocating offices into the current community hall area and multipurpose rooms and fitness area where the offices are now located.
After working with user groups, Baine said second floor changes would include an area of accessible seating in the arena and reorientation of the multi-purpose rooms to allow viewing into Alex Kaleta Arena from the second level.
Baine went through several suggestions put forward by user groups, like relocating offices to the first level, which did not achieve the goals and objectives of the overall project.
“There were also user groups that are concerned we have not been able to incorporate all the needs they brought forward,” she said. “That being said, we are constrained by the budget and our footprint.
“This design balances the needs as much as we possibly can.”
She added that community groups also asked for changes to how space is allocated at the facility. Because municipal programming takes precedence to book space, user groups have been frustrated with having to wait and see what classes or programs are being offered by the Town before they can book space. She said the recreation department is evaluating ways to improve this process.
Councillor Rob Seeley said he was initially concerned that opportunities to engage user groups through the design process were missed. But having seen work on incorporating changes, he was encouraged more could be achieved.
“When I looked at it originally, all the work made sense and looks good; there are other ideas I am looking at now that might make sense,” he said. “I am hoping it is open to collaboration and tweaks.”
Baine said in order to meet construction timelines, the project should move forward with the current design, however, collaboration on smaller design details like fixtures, for example, could still be incorporated.
“At this point, we consider the design phase and elements to be complete,” said manager of municipal infrastructure Michael Fark. “There is no intention to engage in further rounds of discussion or change the design.”
The architects presented council with an alternate design option in June, which would have added $1 million to the overall cost. The option would have moved an internal wall of Alex Kaleta Arena to increase the space available for its change rooms and create a better viewing experience from the spectator seating area.
Council voted against the change, with Seeley and Coun. Ed Russell supporting it.
