Eastlink Centre looking for money
Changes to the facility include doors, new signage and possibly more
Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown is asking the city for money ahead of its 2024-25 capital budget.
The amount is unclear, but sources tell SaltWire that discussions are ongoing and could involve big dollars.
The Charlottetown Civic Centre Management Inc., the board that runs the facility, has met with the city’s economic, tourism and cultural development committee, including a Dec. 13, 2023, meeting where there was discussion of taking the seats down to ice level and converting the arena into a top-down loading facility. There was also talk of striking a committee that will investigate this, but no one is commenting on the record whether this has happened.
At the Dec. 13 meeting, which SaltWire watched on video, Mayor Philip Brown pointed to a report done in the early 2000s that would see seats brought down to ice level. The cost at the time of the report was about $10 million. Today, the mayor speculated that cost has likely ballooned to $30 million.
At the meeting, Phil Matusiewicz, chairman of the board, said changes would increase the useability of the arena to the fanbase.
The mayor seemed in favour of moving on with discussions, but no specifics were mentioned.
John Abbott, general manager of Eastlink Centre, said Feb. 22 he could not comment further on what is currently happening.
Abbott did tell the committee in December that having the province at the table as these changes are discussed would be ideal and mentioned the province does sit on the board.
CHANGES
At the Dec. 13 meeting, Matusiewicz said Eastlink Centre needs changes made to both entrances at the arena, tabbing the cost at $130,000.
He said the old doors are aging and in need of replacement.
“The existing concrete under the doors is deteriorating and it can lead to break and enters,’’ Matusiewicz said.
The Eastlink Centre is also looking for new digital signage, similar to what exists at Confederation Centre of the Arts, that would increase the facility’s visibility and allow events to be projected on a sign that is noticeable from the road.
At present, people must turn their heads and look high up on the arena’s main building to see the list of current and upcoming events.
The signage would measure 8x10 feet and be situated at an angle out front to allow people coming from either direction to see it.
The cost of the new signage was pegged at $150,000, but it is money the city has already budgeted for the arena.
There was also a request for $28,000 to build four additional cubbies in the dressing rooms.