Photo Karen Graham.
Old Millbrook Arena.
At the June 5th meeting, Council decided to bite the bullet and say out loud that the old arena would be shuttered sooner than later. There was insufficient support to justify any significant expenditure on the 70-year-old building after studies indicated that even the facilities’ current users aren’t keen to stay if another option is available.
After some public dissatisfaction over the on-line nature of the household recreation plan survey conducted last summer, Robert Lockhart of the ReThink Group, which is leading the Master Parks and Recreation Plan for the township, organized a Community Forum in May to see if in-person feedback would provide a different perspective on the future of the facility. The evening event also sought details about any priorities for improved and/or new parks and facilities in the future among current residents.
The questions posed in the survey which was used on-line and at the May event stressed the magnitude of the expenditure that might be required to extend the life and uses of the arena. The reports suggest that an investment of $5.25 million would be required to ensure the building met accessibility requirements and address some structural deficiencies, extending its life expectancy by 25 years. This investment would only support current uses and did not include any functional or aesthetic improvements. Renovating the facility to expand its usefulness would require significantly more funding.
Another option examined was replacing the facility with a downtown community park. This revitalized area might include elements such as a gazebo, outdoor stage, pathways, a picnic area, a public square, or any number of features. In 2013, a conceptual design of a park in this area was prepared as part of the Downtown Revitalization Strategy. After consulting with the designer of the 2013 plan, the consultant estimated that a park including open lawn similar in size to the existing arena building footprint, accessible hard surface, an additional footbridge connecting the walkway to the Old Millbrook School Park, a picnic shelter beside Needlers’ Mill and a variety of naturalized plantings along the creek would cost in the neighbourhood of $1.1 million, depending on the design, materials and specific features included in the redevelopment plan. The report indicated a 25%-35% range for potential costs variances because the design is so preliminary. This does not include the demolition of the building of the disposal of the building materials, which is estimated will cost at least $200,000, which does not include the removal of potentially hazardous material, decommissioning of wells, backfill and site restoration.
The future of the Millbrook Arena will significantly influence other decisions about other recreational facilities, so a decision about this property is pivotal. While many residents have expressed the view that recreation opportunities should rank higher on the list of municipal priorities, budgets at all levels of government are tight and barring new grant opportunities, investment in recreation might still be viewed as discretionary spending during the budget process where they compete with other expenditures such as roads and protective services. The conclusion was that recreation investment would be better directed to new projects.
The old arena will continue to be available to user groups in its current condition with minor repair work investments until they choose to vacate or until the facility is no longer safe to use. KG
