It’s time to get off the bench and start making upgrades at the Dryden Memorial Arena and the Rec Complex.
That’s the feeling of the Recreation Advisory Committee, who is asking Council to make the issue a number one priority heading into the New Year.
Chair Kent Sinclair says the building is 36-years-old and doesn’t meet the current demand of user groups.
Sinclair is asking Council to go back and act on the recommendations of a 2008 consultants report on upgrades to the complex.
The report suggested a 7,200 square foot addition to the facility in order to free up more room and create more dressing rooms, especially for female hockey players.
He says the City can spend $4,800 to ensure the blueprints are Ontario building code compliant.
Sinclair believes the first phase of the project could be completed in the New Year at a cost of $2.6-million.
He is also suggesting the creation of a fundraising committee and working with the Dryden Development Corporation to seek out various grants and funding opportunities.
Sinclair says our recreational facilities bring in millions of dollars in revenue for the City.
An Economic Impact Study shows the Gross Domestic Product for Arena use alone is $916,991.
That doesn’t include taxes, wages, hotels, restaurant use, business revenue or Ice Dogs hockey.
A report shows 442,756 users took advantage of the Arena in 2014/2015.
Tournament use came in at 24,590 users.
Other stats:
Pool and Fitness Centre 2014-83,381 users
Outdoor facilities 2015-75,621 users.
