OLDS — The Sportsplex has a lack of accessibility, viewing space, storage space and programming opportunities, says a recreation and culture consultant.
Justin Rousseau, managing director of Expedition Management Consulting Ltd., made those comments as he presented the Mountain View Regional Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan to town council on Nov. 22.
“There is a lack of accessibility at the Olds Sportsplex. Persons with reduced mobility are faced with significant challenges to enter/exit and transport themselves throughout the facility,” reads a portion of the plan.
“There is a lack of change rooms at the facility and some of the existing rooms would greatly benefit from enhancements. For example, the women’s change rooms do not have washrooms or a shower.
“Seating is another barrier to the Sportsplex being fully enjoyed by patrons. Seating at the main ice sheet is narrow, and there is very limited seating available at the second ice sheet.
“Facility staff and user groups identified a lack of storage and program space at the Sportsplex. This causes logistical challenges to both groups as they manage the facility, allocate space, and run programs.”
The plan outlines possible opportunities to solve some of those problems.
For example, if adjacent Olds Regional Exhibition (ORE) facilities are moved out of town as the plan recommends, the Sportsplex could be expanded onto that land.
The plan also recommends conducting an audit of the Sportsplex to determine how best to improve access and programming opportunities.
“There’s some obvious limitations to the facility which are causing reduced customer service,” Rousseau said. “I would want to do a detailed dive into that in terms of an accessibility audit and what the costs might be to solve those issues.”
Coun. Heather Ryan asked if those improvements could be worked into the municipality’s 10-year capital plan.
"Well, I think there’s probably opportunities for short-term wins but there’s some challenges there in terms of the facility,” Rousseau said.
"You are working on what you have, but I’m sure that there’s more that you could do if you invested a little bit more. But I think some of them are going to be bigger-ticket items.”
Community services director Doug Wagstaff pointed out that many public facilities in Olds and elsewhere were built 40 years ago when conditions were different. Demand for the kind of accessibility desired now was not as great back then.
“And that’s just the nature of any facility that was built in that era,” he said.
Coun. James Cummings asked if the Sportsplex is “meeting current legislation requirements for accessibility to a (public facility).”
"It would for those who are viewing as patrons. It has significant challenges for anyone who is participating on the floor level or ice level with accessibility,” Wagstaff said.
“So the answer’s yes, but not easily. Not easily accommodatable.”
