After reviewing numerous options, Council decided Tuesday to pursue demolition of the Civic Arena. This move came after Council received a structural building assessment and cost estimates associated with reusing the building. The reports indicated given the state of the 80 year old building, reuse would be technically challenging and very costly. The Civic Arena would require significant upgrades in order to repurpose it.
Reports indicated that bringing the building into compliance with the Building Code to a basic shell building would be an estimated $11-12 million. New construction for the same basic shell facility would be $8-9 million. The estimates did not include any interior finishing or upgrades related to a future use.
City staff are expected to outline a process for demolition early in the new year, including the salvage and reuse of materials, specifically the big timber trusses in the building, cost estimates for demolition and potential funding sources. Discussions about the future of the Civic Arena were sparked by the new ice surface expansion at Kal Tire Place (targeted opening date of September 1, 2018). Once complete, the Civic Arena will no longer be used as an ice surface.
Council expressed a desire to engage the public regarding the future of the property in late 2018.