By Gary Gardiner, North Bay.
Omischl or Memorial Gardens?
In terms of a location for a proposed twin-ice-pad arena, Councilor Mark King says, “it’s a no brainer” to put it at the Omischl Sports Complex on Lakeshore Drive.
But current Community Service Chair, Johanne Brousseau, wants to spend an additional $250,000 of taxpayer’s money and delay progress another four months to study both the Omischl and Memorial Gardens sites further. After five months on the job, Brousseau feels she does not have enough information to make a decision.
The Community Service Committee of Mendocino, Robertson, and McDonald agreed. The recommendation to spend an additional $250,000 on another study goes before Council tonight (Tuesday April 23).
In the matrix below I have summarized what we know so far, based on the updated MURFF report, the 2018 Arena Committee Report, and common sense. I’ll let you make the decision. Read the summary and then you decide …... should we commission another study at $250,000 to get more details or is the decision a “no brainer”?
|
Criteria |
Omischl Sport Complex |
Memorial Gardens |
|
Neighbourhood Synergy |
- current site can easily accommodate twin ice-pad with no negative effects on surrounding community
|
- loss of full size football / soccer field and green space (Park has already lost one baseball diamond for parking ) - possible negative impact on property values in the immediate area of MG -inner city kids will no longer be able to walk down the street and kick/throw a ball around |
|
Traffic |
- no obvious concerns although a traffic study will be required |
- traffic congestion will be an issue especially during major events - second entrance off Fischer with a bridge over Chippewa Creek likely required - new traffic lights required |
|
Parking |
- can be accommodated onsite without impacting on existing neighbourhood |
-even with additional parking onsite, the neighbourhood will continue to be adversely affected during major events resulting in continued inconvenience for residents and more events will lead to greater dissatisfaction |
|
Site and Soils |
- rock and marsh, may require engineered fill (crushed rock) in certain areas - some blasting of high spots may be required |
- Rollie field previously a marsh that was infilled. Up to 2.4 meters of fill may need to be removed. Lower part of site is in Chippewa Creek flood plain. Kinsman trail will need to be re-routed. A higher seismic rating (than Omischl) may require additional structural requirements for the building. |
|
Sport Tourism |
- adding change rooms and ancillary services to Omischl will be a significant boost to sports tourism for the sports of football, soccer, baseball, Frisbee, hockey, etc. - rental fees go to the City |
- benefits more specific to hockey sports tourism only - rental fees for new rinks go to city but rental fees and concessions at MG go to a third party |
|
Economic Development |
- great opportunity to stimulate Lakeshore and Pinewood Park area. - a benefit to existing hotels, restaurants, stores in the area - stimulus for new housing that would take advantage of millions invested in Lakeshore water and sewer infrastructure |
- a benefit to existing restaurants and hotels in the area - congestion, parking problems, and general dissatisfaction may have a negative effect on home values and development in commercial areas |
|
Will of the People |
- majority of people in West Ferris in strong support as were most politicians prior to the election - football, soccer, baseball players in strong support |
- local neighbourhood strongly opposed |
|
Community Hub |
- potential for a real community hub serving the people of West Ferris |
- YMCA already serves the area as a community hub |
|
Cost |
- a less expensive build from a structural and traffic mitigation perspective could result in value-added amenities such as weight rooms, fitness centre, meeting rooms, senior programming, etc. |
- costly - common sense indicates it will be millions more but if you want to know exactly how much more commission a $250,000 study |
|
Future Expansion |
- able to accommodate additional surfaces should Palangio be decommissioned |
- no future expansion possible |
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