Bayplex decisions require thought, says mayor
CBRM will see what it can do to support minor hockey programs
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has to carefully assess its options when it comes to potentially coming up with a fix for problems at the Bayplex, Mayor Cecil Clarke says.
Clarke said last year the CBRM carried out about $50,000 in emergency repairs to the arena and engaged an engineering review that identified $4-6 Clarke million in work required to bring it up to standard.
“There’s been further deterioration, at this time we have about $30,000 in more work to be done and I have assurances from provincial and federal governments to cost-share on that work to be done right now,” Clarke said.
“The facility is not in a position to operate into the next season, so this is something that is very serious to address. It has to done in a timely basis, there’s mould contamination in the facility and it will only get worse if we’re not taking remedial action in the very near future.”
That work will include a detailed assessment to nail down precisely how much the work it requires would cost and the timeline when the repairs may be done.
The municipality will also look at what it will do to support minor hockey programs through the Canada Games Complex at Cape Breton University, Clarke added.
The CBRM’s recreation master plan— council approved the plan and its implementation strategy at its meeting Tuesday — notes that the Bayplex needs a new roof, at an estimated cost of $1.2 million to as much as $2.1 million. It also requires a new board system at a cost of $130,0000; all entrance zdoor systems and skatefriendly surfaces need to be replaced; its geothermal system needs to be assessed in order operate more efficiently; furniture needs replacement; brick and block wall systems may need to be replaced; and the drainage tile needs to be addressed.
The plan also notes that the Bayplex was built with federal money prior to municipal amalgamation. It is not owned by the CBRM, but the plan states that the municipality will likely receive requests for capital upgrades. The plan advises that before making any investments in it, the CBRM should assess its physical and operational condition before committing support.
A replacement for the Bayplex has been estimated to cost anywhere from $18-30 million, Clarke said, adding the CBRM doesn’t have the funds available to support that.
“That’s a very difficult thing to try to replace, fixing up the facility, restoring it, bringing it up to accessibility codes, that’s my priority,” he said.
A renovation plan would be on the basis of a 20-year life span for the upgrades, Clarke said.
“Once you take that facility and properly retrofit it, it should have a very good life cycle going forward,” he said.
The Bayplex was built in 1996.