THUNDER BAY – With plans for a new event centre nowhere to be seen, city staff are recommending a multi-million dollar investment plan to extend the life of the Fort William Gardens for at least 15 years.
The facility, which opened in 1951, remains structurally sound but requires upgrades to components like its ice plant, along with accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to remain viable, according to a report from city administration.
The city has minimized investment in the Gardens since 2011, when it began developing plans to replace the venue, which led to the ill-fated event and convention centre proposal.
The long-term investment plan would give the city until at least 2036 to develop new plans to replace the Gardens, said director of asset management Gerry Broere.
“If this passes, it secures the funding to ensure the Gardens will be around for 15-plus years,” he said. “It doesn’t preclude the advancement of a spectator or event centre coming sooner.”
Significant upgrades to mechanical, electrical, and life safety components of the building were last performed in 1994, and intended to last to 2015, the report notes.
On Monday, city council will vote on a recommended capital investment plan that would see the city spend $2.99 million on upgrades to the Gardens over the next four years.
The city has applied for federal Green and Inclusive Community Building Program (GICB) funding that would cover nearly three-quarters of that cost, leaving the city to pay $645,000. However, the city report notes the funding is “extremely competitive” and alternate funding may be required.
The upgrades would extend the life of the facility to at least 2036, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 38 per cent and saving $80,000 a year through energy efficiency improvements, said Broere.
The Gardens recently saw more than $1 million in investments ahead of the 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, which supported new ice deck flooring, a video scoreboard and digital screens, a rigging system for speakers, lighting, and cameras, and some electrical system and ice plant improvements.
Administration’s recommended plan would add $400,000 a year to the city’s capital budget to support renewal of the Fort William Gardens and other recreational assets.
The city has estimated it is currently falling short of investments needed to maintain its recreational facilities to a “fair” standard under its Facility Condition Index by just under that amount yearly.
If the city receives the federal GICB funding, the $400,000 will go toward refurbishment of other facilities like satellite arenas and pools. If it’s unsuccessful, the funds will initially go to cover the Fort William Gardens work.
