NEWS FILE PHOTO - Big Marble Go Centre is seen in this 2021 file photo.
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
A twinplex arena and south-side swim centre would improve recreation landscape in Medicine Hat, but each would cost as much as the Medicine Hat Event Centre to build.
That is according to a final report on capital priorities unveiled at a special meeting of council on Monday.
The study was debated in a council committee of the whole meeting on Monday, with planners recommending it be adopted at a future meeting so work could begin immediately on an ice facility, and within five years on swimming and fitness aspects.
Those projects, plus several others, could cost more than $200 million, not accounting for potential grants and partnerships.
“(The budget) is a large number… but keeps operating expenses relatively unchanged,” said public services head Brian Stauth. “But what’s ahead of us is $50 million (in upkeep) costs if we do nothing.”
A summary states the city will incur $42 million in costs to maintain existing facilities, without adding to them, while inflation will add to replacement cost create amenity-centred destination areas.
Coun. Darren Hirsch said council has waited since the last term for the report and costs are rising as time goes by through inflation and ongoing upkeep.
“I’m not pressing a panic button, but I’m pressing a let’s get at it button,” he said.
Mayor Linnsie Clark had campaigned in the 2021 election raising questions about closing and conglomerating older arenas and pools, but said Monday that items like increased pools were interesting.
“It’s not happening tomorrow… I’m in favour of having a plan, but it’s important to me to not close a facility before there is a replacement,” she said. “The idea of closing a rec facility that’s doing OK and in good condition, does make me uncomfortable.”
Other council members strongly supported the Facilities for the Future report that comes after the recreation master plan was adopted in 2022.
Staff told council staging, financing, ability to gain grant funding, final locations and other discussions would follow a vote of support. Specific projects would be approved separately in the future.
Coun. Robert Dumanowski said the projects are massive in budget and scope.
“We’ve got a big picture, which is essential, and with a projected cost, $200 million, which is astronomical, but it’s in the context of $50 in (maintaining in) costs,” he said, adding that financing and sequencing would be a “much bigger” discussion.
“Quality of life determines the future of a community, and our need to do something is critical,” he said.
Will said discussions with the YMCA are needed but, the plan would be to close Crestwood Rec Centre as a way to increase use at the Big Marble Go Centre. A southern facility would eventually handle swimming on the whole southside.
“We have to explore facilities that are underperforming,” said parks manager James Will, adding that to reduce tax funding required to balance budgets the city could increase revenue or reduce costs.
“Membership (revenue) in Medicine Hat is very low, and we believe that’s due to location… our current placement prevents us from lowering (operating subsidies).
“Big Marble could accommodate 8,500 members and we have 2,300.
“We need fewer facilities and better placement.”
Sustaining existing facilities, including rinks and pools, as is, would cost $42 million in maintenance and upgrades by 2050, with about half the work required in the next 10 years.
Building new replacements would forego those costs, the report states, offer some additional programming and refresh buildings before 2050.
But they would have very similar operating costs to current buildings.
A twinplex with attached curling club, which would cost $75 million to build, could operate for an estimated $365,000 to $455,000 per year.
The Moose and Hockey Hounds arenas, built in the 1980s, require about $2 million in upgrades combined and currently cost a total of $455,000 to operate.
An expected $7.2 million in upgrades is needed for the existing curling club (a lease is expected for the club to operate the new space) and the future costs of demolition is not included in the calculations.
A south rec and swim centre would cost between $55 million to $70 million to build, avoiding $7.5 million in maintenance at Crestwood. Operational costs at either would be about $500,000 per year – similar to costs at Crestwood.
Separately, a $10-million to $15-million remake of Hill Pool would add barrier-free access, a splash deck and would be offset by foregoing $1.4 million in needed repairs.
A separate “destination outdoor water” facility at a to-be-determined location might cost an estimated $16 million, while a spray park to replace Heights Pool and work at Saamis Rotary Park would each cost $425,000.
Options to add camping or potentially a bridge at Echo Dale Regional Park could range up to $30 million, but are a lower priority.
Moving ball diamonds and soccer fields near the Big Marble Go Centre, once proposed as a way to add more available commercial land, might cost $6.3 million.
All projects make up a $160 million to $213 million cost estimate, but that figure would rise to as much as $281 million in 2033.
