Mosaic Place needs almost $40K to pursue four building projects

Mosaic Place needs almost $40,000 to enhance several parts of its building, such as upgrading an internal communications network and creating a new employee entrance that is safer to access. During the April 26 regular council meeting, city council voted unanimously to approve four capital projects and use existing money in the Mosaic Place carry-forward budget account to fund the initiatives. The cost of the four projects is expected to be $39,950.56, including a contingency of $3,000.

Funding of $33,940 will come from the Mosaic Place capital carry-forward budget account — draining that account — and $6,010.56 will come from the Downtown Facility and Field House (DFFH) capital carry-forward account, which will be left with $27,319.44.

Overview of projects: Communications

The existing internal communications infrastructure is fragmented, since two systems — one for hockey and one for events — operate within the building and do not work together, which forces the venue to rent a Clear-Com system for $1,200 per event, Ryan MacIvor, general manager of Mosaic Place, told council by video. Bringing together both systems would create efficiencies, require less audio wiring and save money, he continued. The cost to join the two systems is $15,108.18, excluding GST.

These systems weren’t connected when the building was constructed because that’s not how the venue was designed but is how the building is being used now, MacIvor told council. The communication needs of the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors have also changed over time.

Security door

A small wall and lockable door are required in the media booth to protect the venue’s audio/visual amplifiers, mixing boards, video connections and other related technology from tampering by passersby, said MacIvor.

This project — to cost $5,395.40 excluding GST — would also eliminate the need for a dedicated security guard. Everyone just assumes that the situation in that booth will be “tickety-boo and everyone will treat (the equipment) with respect, but that doesn’t always happen,” said Coun. Heather Eby, which is why it’s important to secure that gear when that area is busy.

New staff entrance

Currently, all employees enter via a door next to the south-side loading bays, an area where there are two ice cleaning machines, a forklift, and electrical connections during events.

With COVID-19, MacIvor pointed out that it is important to have a separate employee entrance, so there is ample space to clock in and conduct health screenings. That is why a new entrance on First Avenue Northwest would allow staff to have their locker areas and lunchrooms and cut down the use of public entrances.

The cost of this project is $10,394.38, excluding GST.

This project needs this funding since there is no electricity for the outside doors or inner doors to be magnetically locked, MacIvor told Coun. Dawn Luhning. There is also no security camera to track who comes and goes in that area.

Since there is no outside lighting at this entrance, Coun. Jamey Logan — who visited that location in the dark — suggested to MacIvor that keeping that spot well-lit would keep employees safe.

Curling equipment

A secondary water softener, carbon tanks and filling station for curling are currently housed at the back of the curling centre, but need to be moved to the reverse osmosis (RO) room to provide secure storage, proper drainage and safety from damage, said MacIvor. This would allow staff to access the RO water and domestic hot and cold water on the ice side of the building. This is expected to cost $6,052.60, excluding GST.

It makes sense to move this equipment to a safer location, especially when big events are happening and many people are moving in that area and could bump the gear, said Eby.

“It’s kind of a disaster waiting to happen, so I totally believe that’s a good thing to move,” she added.