Pool to built in first phase of twin-pad arena
The Trent Torpedoes are looking forward to being able to host meets at home with Monday’s announcement that the province will fund $18 million of a now $54-million arena and aquatics complex planned for Trent University.
“It will have an incredible impact on our club,” head coach Dan Stratton said following the Monday afternoon announcement by Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal at Northcrest Arena, which will be replaced by the new Pioneer Road facility.
Originally the city intended to build a twin-pad replacement arena and then add the pool in a second phase, but now it will be built all at once.
The Trent Swim Club is currently unable to host competitions because they require eightlane, 25-metre pools and expect that host venues will have bleachers, deck and programming space currently not available in Peterborough, he said.
The project, which will include a twin-pad arena, a 25-metre, 10-lane competitive pool, a warmup pool and multi-purpose and meeting facilities, is similar to the complex in Stratton’s hometown of Sault Ste. Marie.
“It is an excellent model,” he said, adding that having such a facility can foster community pride – including being a selling point for realtors selling the city to those looking to relocate. “It will serve the exact same role.”
The complex will also include an elevated running track, off-ice training centre, sport office and sport storage space, administrative space and commercial units.
Before announcing the funding, Leal highlighted the need to keep the city attractive from a host perspective and to help residents stay active.
Northcrest Arena – which served as a template – was given a 20-year shelf life when it was built more than 50 years ago, he pointed out.
Just like with the province’s support of the Canadian Canoe Museum, Ontario will deliver the $18 million over three fiscal cycles – in instalments of $4.5, $9 and $4.5 million – matching the city’s anticipated construction schedule.
Leal pointed out how rare it is that a Peterborough effort gets mentioned in the Ontario budget, holding the document open to where it is mentioned on page 279. “This is all about community … this is all about building a better City of Peterborough.”
Mayor Daryl Bennett offered Leal a “heartfelt thank you” to Leal, saying the funding makes the project “workable.”
With five councillors on hand for the announcement, he joked that there was a quorum to indeed move the city forward.
“You’ve done a great job for us on many, many fronts for us over the years,” he said, calling the funding the “missing ingredient” in the project. “This is marvellous … this is a great project for this community. This is enormous for the sporting community.”
The project is 80 per cent through the detailed design phase, city project manager of facilities and planning initiatives Gillian Barnes told those gathered, noting how this stage of the process is a lengthy one.
City council will be updated in late May or early June, she said, adding that tenders are expected to be sought in January for construction expected to start next spring. It will take about 2 1/2 years to build the facility.
The new facility will also allow the swim club to grow, Stratton said.
While the future of the Allan Marshall Pool at the Trent Athletic Centre pool will ultimately be decided by the university, he hopes that it will continue to serve local aquatics programming along with the new facility.
The interest has long been there, he said. “We’ve always had the human resources, but not the facility resources.”
NOTE: Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett pointed out that the flag at city hall is at half-staff to honour the 15 lives lost in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash and show support for the families of the victims.