ISSUE #3, FEBRUARY 2, 2007
Regional Sports & Entertainment Centre Update
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This is a brief update on the Kingston Regional Sports and Entertainment Centre. These updates will be issued to you on a monthly basis and can be used for circulation to your membership.
Construction Update
EllisDon has completed all caisson work. Concrete foundations and core walls, which includes formwork and rebar, has also recently started and is scheduled to be completed in March 2007. EllisDon obtained its structural permit in December. Preparation work for the underground plumbing also started in January. Steel erection has been rescheduled for mid February.
As previously reported the Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation has continued to monitor sensitive areas during the foundation work. With the caisson work completed, the only remaining area that requires monitoring is the excavation on the north-east section of the site. It is expected that this work will happen within the next few weeks.
Also as previously reported, in accordance with the waste management plan and health and safety plan, EllisDon retained the services of Pinchin Environmental and Scott Industrial to provide constant monitoring of the site during caisson and foundation work. With the caisson work completed, Pinchin Environment and Scott Industrial will only be on site as required.
Parking and Accessibility
Staff, working with its consultant and the Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee, have developed the following recommendation to address accessibility at the facility. The following recommendations on accessible parking, barrier-free pathways and passenger drop-off are being considered by the committee. The committee will provide direction to staff at a special committee meeting to be held on Feb 9.
Recommendation: Barrier-free parking
- Provide Barrier-Free parking in four (4) municipal parking lots within approx. 200 metres of the KRSEC. These lots are specifically: Barrack Street, Drury, Frontenac, and King & Queen Lots.
- Seven (7) Barrier-Free spaces exist in the three existing lots and on-street. At least twelve (12) more spaces will be provided, during events, at the Frontenac Lot. Two (2) Barrier-Free Van spaces will also be provided here. Based on monitoring, up to two (2) more Van spaces are possible here.
- Upgraded standards for the design and maintenance of these spaces will be applied to these public lots. Control of these spaces will be provided by bylaw enforcement.
Recommendation: Drop-off/pick up locations
- Provide a dedicated and signed the bus lay-by in the bus area on the north side of the Centre adjacent to the Club Entrance for Accessible public transit shuttles.
- Provide a dedicated and signed drop-off/pick-up location for private vehicles on the south side of Barrack Street adjacent to the King Street signalized crossing.
- Upgraded standards for the design, signage and maintenance will be applied to these Drop-Off/Pick-Up locations. Control of the Drop-off/Pick-up will be provided by bylaw enforcement.
- Upgrade signalized Crossings at King and Barrack to include sonic directional indicators and tactile warnings on curb ramps.
Recommendation: Accessible routes
- Provide Accessible Routes from the four (4) designated municipal parking lots providing Barrier-Free parking within 200 metres of the Centre.
- Upgraded standards for the design, signage and maintenance will be applied to these Accessible Routes.
- If costs to upgrade all Accessible Routes exceed the municipal budget or if the Routes cannot be maintained, then all nineteen (19) Barrier-Free parking spaces and Two (2) Van spaces (plus possible future Van spaces) or part thereof must be provided in the Frontenac lot with an Accessible Route crossing Barrack Street at the signalized.
- These upgrades should be feasible within a 48 month time frame.
Design build drawings
The 100% completed design is planned for February 2007. Brisbin, Brook, Beynon, Architects, have started to work on the interior design of the facility, involving key stakeholders. The interior design involving the Kingston Frontenacs, Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame and the Arts community is expected to by complete by February/March 2007.
Naming Rights
In January, staff submitted a proposed process for the naming rights. Council approved the following process to award naming rights of the sports and entertainment centre:
- Issue a public expression of interest, providing local companies with a timeframe of two weeks to submit the name of their proposals to purchase naming rights. The expression of interest document will be prepared by Wakeham and Associates to ensure that it meets sponsorship and advertising industry standards.
- Any proposals received from local companies will be forwarded to Wakeham and Associates for review. These proposals will be reviewed based on specific criteria developed by Wakeham and Associates. The list of criteria will be provided to council for information prior to the awarding of naming rights.
- Should any of the proposals meet criteria, Wakeham and Associates will then contact the companies and initiate negotiations. At the same time, Wakeham and Associates will approach some of its contacts to identify any potential interest in the national market.
- Once negotiations are completed, Wakeham and Associates will present a detailed report with a recommended company for the City's approval.
Webcam
Watch Kingston's sports and entertainment centre take shape live via an onsite web camera.
The ArenaView web camera will focus on major areas of activity throughout the construction process and is currently pointed to the middle section of the site.
Seating
The City of Kingston has received samples of arena-style seating from three companies vying to furnish the Kingston Regional Sports and Entertainment Centre.
Drop into Memorial Hall at City Hall from Feb. 5 to 8 for a sneak preview of the sample seats, and the Memorial Centre, 303 York Street from Feb 9-16.
The EllisDon team with Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects and city staff will evaluate the sample seating and select the club and general arena seating based on the best fit with the arena's design and atmosphere, as well as cost.
The contract negotiated to design and build the sports and entertainment centre specified that EllisDon would provide 4,070 general spectator seats, 400 club seats and 280 private box seats and two party suites with 25 seats per suite. The facility will also allow standing room space for 200, to accommodate a total of 5,000 patrons.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the Kingston Regional Sports and Entertainment Centre please contact Lanie Hurdle, director of project development at 613-546-4291 ext. 1231 or by e-mail at lhurdle@cityofkingston.ca.
