The City of Medicine Hat (City) is currently involved in plans for the construction of a new multi-purpose events centre. Medicine Hat has a population of approximately 61,097 (2009 City Census) and an inventory of six ice surfaces. These include one twin ice facility, two recreation ice arenas, one Olympic size ice surface and a 36-year-old, 4,000 seat spectator arena which houses the Western Hockey League's Medicine Hat Tigers (Canadian Major Junior Hockey) along with other recreational and public events.
October 25, 2011
At the June 20, 2011 City Council Meeting, Council concluded it could not support construction of a new Regional Event Centre with a $94.5 million price tag as projected in the GEC Phase 4 Feasibility Study presented to Council in November 2009. A commitment was made to refer the matter back to the Public Services Committee, so a lower cost proposal for the project could be brought forward later this year.
City Administration has identified three primary ways in which the project cost could potentially be reduced:
- Lessen the on and off-site development costs associated with the chosen site.
- Reduce the size and scale of the proposed facility.
- Use a different procurement model than a traditional public works design / bid / build model.
To analyze these ideas and to prepare for the eventual design, construction and long-term operation of a new Regional Event Centre, the City has engaged a highly-experienced project management firm to act as the City’s representative. MHPM Project Managers Inc. will begin work this week and will present a Phase I Report with recommendations to Council in January 2012.
MHPM’s Phase I work will include activities intended to produce specific and actionable recommendations for reducing the existing capital cost estimate of $94.5 million while still achieving the City’s objectives for hosting the Western Hockey League (WHL) Medicine Hat Tigers and numerous other long-term sporting, recreational, entertainment and commercial requirements. Phase I work includes:
- Re-examine the functional program, concept design, user requirements, and owner requirements identified in the 2009 GEC Phase 4 Feasibility Study.
- Consider options that minimize both on-site and off-site development costs.
- Review all procurement models at the City’s disposal and identify a path forward that provides maximum cost and schedule certainty.
- Recommend how the eventual Operator of the Regional Event Centre should be selected, so that operational considerations can be appropriately included in the design/build phases.
Information updates will be provided as they are available.
June 20, 2011
At the regular City Council meeting, a motion that the responsibility for the Event Centre Project be moved to the Public Services Committee and that the Event Centre Committee be dissolved was approved. A lower cost proposal for the Project from the Public Services Committee is anticipated to be presented later this year.
January 4, 2010
At the regular City Council meeting of January 4, 2010, the Motion recommending a possible funding option for the construction of a new Regional Event Centre was not approved.
A Notice of Motion with regard to a possible plebiscite will be considered on January 18, 2010.June 8, 2007
Mayor Garth Vallely announced the formation of the Friends of the New Event Centre Committee. The volunteer committee includes five Medicine Hat residents: Bill Yuill (Chair); Russ Holowachuk; Mike Hertz; Ken Sauer; and Bill Dearborn, and representatives from the City of Medicine Hat Alderman Darren Hirsch and Ron Webb, General Manager of Community Development.
April 16, 2007
Alderman Graham Kelly, Chair of the New Arena Steering Committee, reports on feedback received by e-mail, telephone, mail, open houses, etc. regarding the proposed multi-purpose events centre.
Alderman Kelly indicates a new arena will be required within the next 10 years, which is the expected life span of the existing facility. Based on the estimated costs for a new facility, the possible tax implications that would be imposed on the residents of Medicine Hat, as well as an unselected site, more research needs to be completed.
Ald. Kelly - Ald. Cocks moved:
“THAT CITY COUNCIL:
- COMMIT TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW MULTI-PURPOSE EVENT CENTRE WITH A CAPACITY OF AT LEAST 6,500 SEATS AND A SPECTATOR CAPACITY OF AT LEAST 7,100 PEOPLE FOR HOCKEY BASED ON A GROSS BUILDING AREA OF AT LEAST 175,000 SQUARE FEET;
- THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW EVENT CENTRE BE DEFERRED UNTIL 50% OF THE COST HAS BEEN RAISED AND DEPOSITED IN A RESERVE ACCOUNT;
- THAT ADMINISTRATION BE DIRECTED TO CONDUCT A FINAL REVIEW OF THE VARIOUS SITES INCLUDING THE BOX SPRINGS ROAD, LEISURE CENTRE AND OTHER POSSIBILITIES, AND REVIEW THE FACILITY CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS.
- THAT A “FRIENDS OF THE NEW ARENA” COMMITTEE BE APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR TO RAISE MONEY, INCLUDING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND SENIOR LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.
- THAT CITY COUNCIL:
- RULE OUT THE MAPLE AVENUE AND 2ND STREET S.E. SITE, AND
- SINCE WE ARE NOT READY TO SELECT A SITE, CITY COUNCIL RULE OUT THE SOUTHLANDS BLACK AND WHITE TRAIL SITE TO ALLOW THE FULL DEVELOPMENT ALREADY APPROVED IN THE
- AREA STRUCTURE PLAN TO PROCEED.”
CARRIED with Ald. Hirsch and Ald. Smith opposed
April 12, 2007
Alderman Kelly hosts a community meeting on the Multi-Purpose Events Centre in Council Chambers at City Hall.
April 2, 2007 – City Council meeting
- Graham Edmunds Cartier Architecture (GEC) of Calgary presents the Arena Feasibility Study Part II and Community Consultation Report.
- Administration provides an Administrative Review/Recommendation based on the Arena Feasibility Planning Part II report.
- Alderman Kelly presents, for information, the recommendations of the Committee.
January 22, 2007
City Council receives as information the Arena Feasibility Planning Study Part II report from Grahams Edmund Cartier Architecture (GEC) of Calgary. In their presentation, GEC presented their results and recommendations regarding a number of important factors such as site selection, seating capacity, projected capital and operating costs, functional analysis, concept design, and implementation strategies and schedule.
May 3, 2006
A Request for Proposal(s) (RFP) was initiated to obtain a formal offer and proposal from a consulting company to complete an extensive study and analysis of the feasibility of constructing a new spectator arena (Part II) in Medicine Hat.
March 20, 2006
City Council approves the appointments to a New Arena Steering Committee and requests that Administration initiate the next step in the feasibility planning process (Part II).
November 2005
Nustadia Recreation Inc. completes an Arena Feasibility Study Report for City Council. City Administration completes an internal review and analysis of this report and presents its findings to City Council in March 2006. The two reports conclude that a major spectator arena is needed by the community to replace the existing one. A number of potential sites are reviewed and capital and operating costs are projected.