The arena portion of the new Regional Recreation Centre in Owen Sound will not open in 2011.
And, barring a catastrophic failure of the ice plant at the Coliseum, the two ice pads are not likely to open much before the building is ready for full occupancy.
City council voted on Monday night to accept a recommendation from Director of Operations Brad McRoberts to forego an opening prior to February 2012.
His report says work on the arena portion of the 38 million dollar facility is not scheduled to be completed until the end of December.
While the space could technically be opened for use in January if there are no unforeseen delays, McRoberts says ongoing construction on the rest of the building and other factors could end up costing the city as much as 160 thousand dollars.
The main costs would include between 50 and 100 thousand dollars for a fire watch due to fire suppression systems not being in place, and 50 thousand dollars for new bonding and insurance.
Additionally, the cost to operate one ice pad between January and March would likely cost another 50 thousand dollars.
McRoberts says there is simply no way the city would be able to generate enough revenue on that single pad to justify the total cost of construction and occupation.
On the bright side, McRoberts says that work on the rec centre is progressing at a rate that could enable the entire facility, with the exception of the aquatic centre, to be completed and ready for an opening in late February or early March.
That’s why he recommended that council revisit the early opening issue in February, when it will be more clear as to what could be safely opened and when.
The plan hinges on getting one final season out of the Coliseum ice plant, which has already surpassed its life expectancy.
If the ice plant fails, and the rec centre ice is needed to fulfil commitments, Council will have to address the issue sooner — and how they will pay for it.
