The Mel Hegland Uniplex was built in 1976. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

recreation facility

Tender open to develop feasibility study to replace Mel Hegland Uniplex

Dec 10, 2020 | 12:00 PM

A tender has gone out for a feasibility study regarding the potential replacement of La Ronge’s Mel Hegland Uniplex.

“Due to the age of the facility, concern for the annual increasing maintenance and projected future major equipment replacement costs, the town requires a third-party opinion on the life expectancy of the current structure, specifically the roofing system and the structural soundness of the facility,” the tender, which closes Dec. 31, states. “However, the main focus is to be on a facility replacement plan that includes costs and conceptual design(s) for the construction of a new multi-use recreation facility in future.”

While Mayor Colin Ratushniak campaigned to examine the possibility of replacing the structure, he said plans for the feasibility study were already in the works by the previous council and the current tender just needed to approved to go ahead. He explained the feasibility study is an initial step and is a basic outline of costs.

The tender also mentions it’s expected the new facility could include a hockey/figure skating arena ice surface with spectator seating no less than what exists at 1,850, a four-sheet curling ice arena, walking track, office space and community meeting room spaces. Ratushniak noted La Ronge residents, and possibly Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, would be involved in future talks about the new structure and what should be inside.

“That’s the most important part is feasibly include all the things the residents want without seeing their taxes jump astronomically because it is going to be quite an expensive plan once it’s all said and done,” he said.

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The Mel Hegland Uniplex was built in 1976 and an additional section was completed in 1995 to allow for leasing offices and a dressing room to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Ice Wolves.

Although it’s still early, Ratushniak believes the will of the council to complete such a large project is there, as long as funding sources can be secured and a good plan is in place.

“I think everybody understands a community centre is really about the heart of a community and we just want to see something in place so it’s multifunctional, multifaceted and it will sort of bring to the community what a lot of people are asking for, which is youth programming,” he said.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno