Ontario Construction News staff writer
A multi-use recreation centre in North Bay is a step closer to reality after a $25.8 million federal funding announcement on the weekend.
Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota says the 85,000-square-foot, net-zero-carbon facility has been in the works for almost a decade, and $25.8 million from the federal government help pay for architecture and engineering design, construction and commissioning. MacLennan Jaunkains Miller Architects Ltd. and North Bay’s Mitchell Jensen Architects designed the facility.
Key building features include:
- public lobby with warm viewing area
- two NHL-sized ice pads
- 250 bench seats (tournament rink)
- 100 bench seats (practice rink)
- walking track with upper-level viewing
- multi-purpose community room
- food services
- association offices
Construction could begin in spring 2023.
“The funding will help with the costs of the architecture and engineering design, construction and commissioning of a net-zero-carbon fully-accessible 85,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose community and recreation centre,” Rota said in a news release.
“The project is expected to be tendered in the near future, pending the approval of North Bay City Council.”
Funding is part of the five-year $1.5 billion federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Communities.
In December 2020, the estimated cost to build the new facility was between $35 and $40 million. The Ontario government denied the city’s funding application to help with development costs.
“The project will benefit over 75,000 people in the region, including those in North Bay and the surrounding municipalities of Nipissing-Timiskaming,” Rota said.
Arenas are the most-used recreational assets in the community.
“This new, modern, net-zero-carbon and fully-accessible facility will benefit the entire community by providing enhanced recreational opportunities and contributing to the overall health and social well-being of our residents for the next 50 years,” North Bay Mayor Al McDonald said.
The new facility will include 14 barrier-free change rooms, a community patio-veranda and 433 parking spaces.