INVISTA CENTRE PROJECT ARCHIVE:
Questions and Answers
QUESTIONS
Why is the City of Kingston planning to build a Multiplex Community Centre?
What will be included in the Multiplex Community Centre?
How will the city fund the $33.6 million budget?
What will be the impact on ice rental rates?
When will the Multiplex be completed?
Who will operate the Multiplex?
Will the facility be accessible?
ANSWERS
Why is the City of Kingston planning to build a Multiplex Community Centre?
A: In 2004, dmA Planning and Management Services completed an arena capacity and expansion study for the City of Kingston. This study made the following recommendations to be implemented by 2005:
- That the city decommissions Cook Brothers, Harold Harvey and Wally Elmer as ice facilities and that the City repurposes the arenas for other recreational use;
- That the city builds a three pad arena facility to replace the Memorial Centre, Harold Harvey and Cook Brothers. One of the ice pads should have a 5,000 seating accommodation. This facility should provide a future option of a fourth pad;
- That the city adds one ice pad to the Centre 70 facility.
City followed on the recommendations as follows:
- The city is building the Kingston Regional Sports and Entertainment Centre which will have a 5,000 seating accommodation. This facility will be used by the Kingston Frontenacs, and for special events and it is expected that it will also be used by local community leagues and clubs;
- The city is building a Multiplex Community Centre including four (4) ice pads;
- The city has initiated a repurposing process for Cook Brothers and Harold Harvey arenas. Council has decided that the Wally Elmer arena will continue to have ice and be programmed to meet the needs of the community around it;
- The city is not planning a twinning of Centre 70 as the fourth recommended ice pad is planned to be built at the Multiplex.
What will be included in the Multiplex Community Centre?
A: The Multiplex will have the following amenities:
- ice pad 1, NHL size 300 bench seating
- ice pad 2, NHL size 300 bench seating
- ice pad 3, NHL size 300 bench seating
- ice pad 4, NHL size 750 seats
- 24 team dressing rooms
- 4 officials dressing rooms
- 3 sound rooms
- 2 first aid rooms
- 1 reception desk
- 2 multi-purpose rooms
- 1 pro shop including skate sharpening
- 1 food and beverage concession
- 6 community storage rooms
- 1 fitness centre
- 1 bicycle room
- 1 family barrier free washroom
- 1 mini rink
- Upper viewing gallery
- Ability to use the facility as an emergency evacuation centre
A: The contract for the Multiplex Community Centre was signed on November 22, 2006 for an amount of $26,353,030. The total project cost including city fees and site preparation is estimated at $33.6 million.
How will the city fund the $33.6 million budget?
A: Council approved the following financing plan:
- $19 million from user fees
- $2 million in development charges
- $1 million from arena facility reserve fund
- $0.5 million from parkland reserve fund
- $11.1 million from capital reserve fund/tax base
The $11.1 million capital reserve fund/tax base will not be new taxes to residents. The amount is composed of an operation saving to pay debt servicing on $M by repurposing two arenas and a contribution form the capital fund which has been established for a number of years at 1% of tax revenues collected.
What will be the impact on ice rental rates?
A: The Multiplex financing model includes an ice rental rate increase for all user groups. The increase will be phased over a two year period starting in 2007-2008. The City is planning a harmonization of rates within all City operated arenas. The proposed rates included in the financing plan are $220 for adult prime time and $165 for youth prime time by year 2008-2009. City staff have held meetings with user groups to discuss the new rates.
When will the Multiplex be completed?
A: The substantial completion is scheduled for March 29, 2008, as outlined in the construction contract signed with Peak Engineering on Nov. 22, 2006. At that time, the construction schedule was reviewed and revised with a change in the opening date that did not impact the project budget and which was intended to help avoid operational costs with regard to preparing the facility and staff for opening. After substantial completion, staff training on equipment and new systems will take place, final inspections will be done by appropriate agencies (Kingston Fire and Rescue, KFL&A Public Health, etc.), any deficiencies will be addressed and the facility will be cleaned prior to handing the building over to the owner. The City website is being updated to reflect this time frame. Early negotiations prior to the Nov. 22 contract signing had suggested that the facility might be open in a time frame that would allow for the hosting of the Kids for Kids Tournament. Organizers of that event have been informed that the Multiplex will not be available for the 2008 event, and talks are under way for 2009.
Who will operate the Multiplex?
A: As determined by Council, the Multiplex will be managed and operated by City staff. Council also approved service levels for the operation and maintenance of the facility. The main goals and objectives of the standards of operation and maintenance are:
- Meet the expectations of the public. Standards will ensure that every member of the public as a taxpayer and facility users, has access to the same level of service.
- Provide a manual with clear and defined tasks and expectations for facility maintenance and booking staff. Standards will ensure that employees are aware of their performance expectations and that management can use this tool to measure staff performance and to take any corrective measures in the event standards are not met.
- Provide Council with the opportunity to set minimum levels of service to be offered to the public through a Council approved policy.
A: The Multiplex is being built primarily to replace aging arenas with a more economic, energy efficient operation. The addition of one ice pad will allow user groups to enhance current tournaments, reduce the impact of the significant growth in girls/women's hockey as well as the growth in adult men's hockey on current facilities. The multiplex will be programmed 70 percent youth and 30 percent adult.
Will the facility be accessible?
A: City staff and BBA Architects have worked to ensure that the Multiplex Community Centre is barrier-free throughout. There are 20 accessible parking spaces, a companion washroom on the first floor, all dressing rooms will be barrier-free, and outlets for recharging scooters have been located throughout the facility, including inside each ice pad. Staff and the design/build team have also met with sound experts to ensure the public address. system is designed to meet the needs of the hearing impaired. These accessible features have been presented to Municipal Accessibility Committee's, Working Group.
