Bayplex manager says repairs could be carried out with facility operating
The manager of the Bayplex said it’s not known yet when the doors will close so that the facility can be repaired.
“We know the ice isn’t going to go in but right now we are going to continue to operate,” said Clarence Routledge.
Routledge said at this time he is simply continuing as always by opening up every day.
“We are still there right now until the time we are told not to be there anymore. Maybe there’s a plan coming where they could be accommodating to the staff.”
Basically, he doesn’t feel the facility has to close to repair things such as a leaky roof, doors, windows and flooring.
“We would need assistance such as an operating grant but we don’t need to close.”
On Friday, Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Cecil Clarke confirmed the Bayplex will close from one to two construction seasons while repairs are done to the 20-year-old facility. Clarke said the three levels of government have agreed the work needs to be done. Earlier estimates were
$6 million for a proper retrofit and to bring the facility up to code, however mould has since been located, resulting in more engineering work necessary for a definitive cost estimate.
Replacement of the building would cost between $18-20 million.
Routledge joined the Bayplex about a year after it opened and there was a $100,000 deficit at the time due to startup costs and a large staff, which was trimmed over the years.
“Our staff wasn’t our biggest problem, our biggest problem was utilities.”
Routledge said if the CBRM takes over the Bayplex it will cost the municipality about $200,000 a year to run it. Although the Bayplex didn’t make money, it survived for 21 years being run by a non-profit group with little assistance from the CBRM, he said.
“I hope when it goes to council questions are asked in that regard: ‘Is it cheaper to run a facility ourselves or to support a non-profit group to run the facility?’”
Routledge said both the Centennial and Coxheath arenas received about $200,000 a year from the CBRM while the Bayplex had little support. The Centennial Arena has since closed.
“If we had the support the other arenas had we wouldn’t be in this position today,” he said.
The Bayplex now has a deficit of about $276,000.
“That’s from 21 years. That didn’t happen this year — it was gradually, over a period of time.”
Routledge said having a non-profit group run the municipally owned Bayplex saved the CBRM a lot of money. Not counting capital repairs, their group wouldn’t have needed $200,000 to run the facility, he added.
“It would have been a heck of a lot less.”
Routledge also questioned the CBRM taking over the Canada Games Complex and putting in $200,000 to keep it going, which makes him wonder if the Bayplex really will be repaired.
“I don’t want to be negative, I want to hope for the best but I do have concerns about relocating to the college. I really do.”
James Edwards, chair of the Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association, said the board is meeting Tuesday night to finalize plans for temporarily relocating to the Canada Games Complex.
“Our plan is to make the transition as smooth as possible for everyone and to go back to the Bayplex when things are operational again. “
In the meantime, Richie Warren, chairman of the Vince Ryan Memorial Hockey Tournament, said the closing of the Bayplex will have a huge impact on his annual gentleman’s hockey tournament, as that is the tournament’s main facility
“We have to grin and bear it while the repairs are being carried out, and before you know it we’ll all be back there.”
Warren said the Bayplex hosts more games for his tournament than any single rink in Cape Breton. A total of 26 tournament games was held at the Bayplex last year.
Warren said when their office opens in September, they will be looking to see if tournament games usually scheduled for the Bayplex can be moved to the Canada Games Complex temporarily.