OLDS — About $15.7 million needs to be pumped into the Olds Sportsplex over the next 30 years to keep it “operationally sound,” including $5.9 million in “critical” upgrades that need to be made now, a consultant says.
Lawrence McSorley of Salas O’Brien, an engineering and technical firm, made those statements during town council ‘s Sept. 3 committee-of-the-whole meeting.
He also outlined two other scenarios where the facility could be expanded and renovated for about $58.5 million or a totally new one built for about $85.8 million.
If none of that $15.7 million is spent on the building (scenario 1) council was told it would remain in fair condition for the next five years or so, then fall to poor.
But McSorley said it’s in pretty good condition, compared to facilities in many other communities which are 50 to 60 years old in some cases.
He also warned that if nothing is done, when the work can’t be put off any longer, it will undoubtedly cost more than if at least some had been done in the intervening time.
Salas O’Brien staff undertook the examination of the Sportsplex about a year ago, touring the facility and interviewing users and staff.
They examined everything from its architecture, electrical and mechanical systems to amenities users would like it to have.
McSorley did note that some renovations were done to the Sportsplex in 2010.
The expanded or new facilities would include recommendations like replacing the auxiliary ice surface with another full-size rink as well as other amenities like more parking space, gender-neutral washrooms and multi-purpose rooms.
In scenario 2, the expanded Sportsplex would spread out southward, taking up a big chunk of the current Olds Regional Exhibition (ORE) race track area, along with a parking lot nearly the size of the Sportsplex itself. An adjacent field house is also floated as a possibility.
The auxiliary ice surface would be replaced by a full-size rink in a north/south direction. Also, the entrance to the building would be from the south instead of the current west entrance.
The facility would continue to be a two-storey building as it is now. At least one elevator would be installed, along with more washrooms, office and storage space. The concession area could also be expanded.
In scenario 3, the new build would all be on one floor and it, along with proposed parking, would take up perhaps half of the current ORE land between 53rd Street and 54th Street, with the remainder of the ORE land set aside for possible recreational use.
The Albertan attempted to contact ORE president James Carpenter for comment but did not hear back.
Not only would the new building feature two full-size ice sheets, but there would be room for expanded seating.
“It would embed all the program requirements and allow for some future growth,” McSorley said.
The land where the Sportsplex currently sits could become a field house or the facility could be demolished and the land be retained for parking.
“So there's the potential either demolishing the building, repurpose the building, or sell the existing facility.”
However, McSorley said the new build does not absolutely have to be built in the current Sportsplex location. It could be built elsewhere.
McSorley conceded covering costs for the work would require some combination of local money as well as money from senior levels of government.
He also dangled the possibility that a regional approach could be taken whereby other communities could partner with Olds on construction of such a facility.
McSorley said the big advantage of scenario 3, is that it's “a little bit more.” Because it would all be built on one level, the cost of installing elevators would be saved and then the existing building could stay in place until the new facility is built.
Although the expansion idea (scenario 2) is cheaper, McSorley said renovation costs more per square foot than a new build does.
“Your building is in fair condition, so with some reinvestment, you can at least get at least 10 years out of it, without much effort,” McSorley said.
“But you know, to keep your facility for 30 years, there's going to be a point in time there where it may make sense for functionality reasons to really start to focus on a new replacement facility, because new construction is always more cost-effective than a full expansion.”
The Town of Olds' chief administrative officer, Brent Williams, divided the timeline into before-10-years and after that date, saying he will come up with some options to pay for repairs.
He said council is already addressing some of the immediate repairs including a $50,000 “emergency repair” to the roof.
Williams said the Town of Olds is applying for an Alberta Community Partnership grant to help fund a study regarding the future of recreational facilities in the area.
He said to that end, the Town of Olds has letters of support from Mountain View County, Olds College and Bowden.
Williams said if the municipality seriously considers renovation/expansion of the Sportsplex or a new build altogether, the community and stakeholders will have to be asked, ‘what are you willing and able to pay for?’”
“Obviously nothing will happen without large amounts of grants from the provincial and perhaps federal levels,” he said.
“But the community has to be ready to take on that project, because it's going to be a massive project, whether we renovate or whether we build a new facility.”
One need identified in the current building was installation of at least one elevator because McSorley noted there isn’t one in it now and that creates accessibility barriers for disabled people and the elderly.
Coun. Heather Ryan questioned how “reasonable” it would be to install an elevator in the existing building.
McSorley thought it would be “fairly easy” to install one.
He suggested that the immediate need would be to install an elevator for the curling club portion because that would help disabled people or seniors who need access to the lower level.
He suggested installing unisex washrooms as well.
Deputy mayor James Cummings, who chaired the meeting, said he was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Sportsplex was not in as dire a shape as rumours would have him believe.
“I was very happy to see that,” he said. “I do look forward to some of the strategic long-term planning for financing replacement, because of course, that does have to happen at some point.”
He expressed confidence that administrative staff will come back with an estimate regarding how -- and how long -- it might take to raise the money necessary for “a facility of this nature.”
Council voted to accept McSorley’s presentation as information.
