There are no current plan to replace the Mel Hegland Uniplex. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

new facility

Mel Hegland Uniplex no longer meets the needs of Ice Wolves

Apr 8, 2024 | 2:00 PM

A representative with the La Ronge Ice Wolves will attend Tuesday’s regular town council meeting as a part of their request for information regarding the future of the Mel Hegland Uniplex.

According to a letter submitted before the meeting, team administration stated they are concerned that the Mel Hegland Uniplex no longer meets their needs to provide fans and players with the best quality entertainment and skill development possible.

“The Ice Wolves board has decided to seek information from both the Town and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band on the plans for their respective arenas to enable us to make the best decision as to the facility in which to hold our home games,” the letter notes.

“The public report provided by ACI Architects Inc. in 2022 recommended constructing a new facility. The Ice Wolves organization has had no official update from the town on its plans for a new facility since the report was made public.”

The Ice Wolves want to know the steps required for the town to construct a new facility such as architect drawings, grant funding securement, loans and other financing, contracting, and construction. They’d also like to know the timeline for completion of construction of a new facility for the length of time planned to use the Uniplex before and during construction, as well the implications of the construction on the annual facility rental agreement they have with the town (cost, office space, dressing room, players lounge. Wolves Den, bar, concession.)

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According to a feasibility study for a new multi-plex facility the town commissioned in 2022, a new facility consisting of a 1,344-seat arena, indoor running track, four-sheet curling rink and multi-purpose space will cost an estimated $33 million.

With the Ice Wolves’ 10-year average attendance per game at 451 and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) average at 687, RC Strategies recommends the town pursue an arena with about 1,300 seats. The study noted the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League has communicated with the town that pre-existing teams do not need to meet the 2,200 seating capacity threshold for new franchises.

As for the facility assessment, the capital costs for bringing the Uniplex up to a safe, modern and functional standard that could sustain use for 10 to 20 years is likely to be at least 50 to 75 per cent of the cost of building a new facility. The building requires an estimated $10,715,000 in repairs over the next 10 years.

In addition, there are $9 million in non-rectifiable repairs and upgrades identified that cannot be undertaken due to building construction and configuration. Given the age of the facility and the era in which it was constructed, there is also a high probability of finding other unknown issues that could further escalate costs.

The entire study can be found online here. Tuesday’s council meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the town office.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com