The image shows the proposed new facility with room for expansion. (Town of La Ronge)

By Derek Cornet

infrastructure

New La Ronge ice surface and curling rink to cost $34 million

Sep 15, 2021 | 2:17 PM

A new facility to replace the aging Mel Hegland Uniplex will cost an estimated $34 million.

That’s according to documents prepared by RC Strategies for the Town of La Ronge, which includes concept drawings, estimates and considerations to take into account in developing such a large project.

The $34 million would cover an arena with 2,200 seats to meet the requirements of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, as well as a curling rink with four sheets, a second-floor lounge and change rooms. At $31 million, the town could build a facility with only 1,200 seats.

“The best thing about it is that now we have a clear picture of what the community members want and what the actual price tag can be,” La Ronge Mayor Colin Ratushniak said. “Everybody is on the same page. It’s always easy to ask and want something without sort of understanding how much it is going to cost in the long run.”

The plans also include estimates for future expansion projects at the site including an aquatic centre for $20 million, an arts hub for $8 million and a flex-hall for $5 million. It notes, however, operating an indoor aquatics facility would require significant ongoing costs with annual subsidies between $250,000 to $750,000 per year. Finding lifeguards in rural areas also can prove to be a challenge.

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If a new uniplex were to be built, it is also unlikely construction could occur and have the Mel Hegland Uniplex operational at the same time. The current facility covers 35 per cent of the site, while a new arena, curling rink and flex hall would span 65 per cent of the area.

“Do I think a new uniplex is going to be built in my term? Probably not, but I think we can definitely get started and we can potentially break ground by year four,” Ratushniak said. “The biggest thing that is in black ink on that strategy there is the uniplex is at the end of its life cycle, so every dollar that we are putting in there to replace and fix, is money that can potentially be used to build something new.”

The Mel Hegland Uniplex was built in 1976. (Town of La Ronge)

Results are also in about a survey town council released about the municipality’s parks, trails and recreation spaces. There were 232 responses and it showed 87 per cent believe an ice arena in La Ronge is either very or somewhat important. An additional 76 per cent believe an ice rink is important.

Respondents would like to see better concessional and food services, bigger and more functional lobby areas, modern change rooms and more comfortable seating. Other priorities in addition to an ice surface and curling rink are an indoor running track, climbing wall and multi-purpose rooms. In that section, 40 per cent of respondents wrote in a pool as it wasn’t available as an option.

“It’s kind of no surprise the community still wants an arena, a curling rink and then the biggest thing for me where it pulled out is the use of a multi-function space,” Ratushniak said. “I think would allow for a lot more different programming to go in there and also a potential revenue stream for paying for the replacement of that building in the future.”

Read more about plans and survey results here.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno