New RMCA raised as possibility
A new Rolling Mix Concrete Arena could be the next major projects in the city’s job jar.
According to a staff report and presentation considered by council on Monday night, the now 61-year-old arena will need between $9 million and $11.5 million worth of work over the next decade to keep it in proper condition.
“The HVAC system and the floor replacements add up to over $3.5 million alone,” staff said in the report. “Some of the water piping in the foundation has failed recently and it is unknown whether the floor of the arena will last another five to 10 years.”
Moreover, staff said the RMCA’s ice plants will eventually have their chillers replaced with smaller units that use less ammonia and so consume less energy and are safer. The cost of that work is still to be determined.
Over the last 10 years, the city has spent $1.8 million on projects like replacing the roof and upgrading the exterior at RMCA.
Given the facility’s age and the cost of that work, “options for decommissioning or replacing this facility should be explored instead of investing in renovations,” engineering and public works general manager Dave Dyer said in a separate brief to council.
Staff estimated cost of a new RCMA at $29 million. Borrowing that amount will mean taking the item to voters, likely in the form of an alternative approval process. Under an AAP, voters who oppose the project would have to submit elector response forms and if they add up to 10 per cent of the city’s electorate, the proposal would either be scrapped or taken to a full-blown referendum that would require at least half of those who cast ballots to be in favour for the project to go ahead.
According to the report, the city will need to spend between $4 million and $4.6 million per year over the next decade to keep its facilities up to grade depending on whether only critical ones get the attention or work on interior doors, windows, flooring, walls, ceilings and stairs are included.
Critical work includes electrical, fire protection, HVAC, plumbing, roofs and exterior walls.
The bill would be over and above the $2.8 million per year in the city’s fiveyear capital plan for the city’s building systems renewal work.
Over the last 10 years, $1.7 million was spent annually on that type of work, council was told.
Mayor Lyn Hall said the $11.5 million figure for RMCA is “staggering.”
“And I know that every year we invest a tremendous amount of dollars into that particular facility and we’re going to start to see more and more of that as our facilities age, so thanks for bringing that one up in particular,” Hall told staff.
“I think it really sets the tone for what we’re dealing with.”
The item was forwarded to council’s finance and audit committee.