Council game for new arena feasibility study

North Bay City Council has agreed, under certain conditions, to move forward with a recommendation made by North Bay Partners in Hockey (NBPIH) to incorporate a feasibility study for a new arena into the 2008 budget.

“… A: Everyone thought the best way to approach it was through the motion that the recommendation made by the (NBPIH) be moved to the 2008 budget process, B: We’re going to have to include a feasibility study that includes all trends, demographics and total costs for any ideas. And C: if we are going to move forward Friends in Hockey should pay half the cost of the feasibility study,” Councillor Anthony said.

The cost for a study of this magnitude could result in support up to $50,000 being required by the City of North Bay. The City would investigate additional partners to offset this cost.

On April 2, 2007 North Bay Partners in Hockey made a presentation to city council with hopes of establishing a case for a new arena.

During their presentation the group indicated they had surveyed current user groups such as youth and adult hockey organisations, ringette, figure skating, as well as other representatives to show the need for more ice surface due to a number of time related concerns.

The feasibility study will be broader than the NBPIH’s and is expected include other economic benefits and concerns like cost to the taxpayer. The possibility of what a new facility could attract in terms of contracts and additional events, funding alternatives, life expectancy of the current facility and much more.

North Bay has four ice surfaces and three other surfaces are available in Astorville, Powassan and Trout Creek, which are all within 30 minutes of driving.

The city also feels it is important to look at the economic impact to those surrounding areas.

The present formula used to prioritise ice time is as follows:

1. Events
2. Contract ice (i.e. Sky Hawks)
3. Program ice
4. practice ice for coaches