City to Begin Preliminary Work on Replacing Simmons Sports Centre
Posted on 02/23/2021
The Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce the preliminary steps to replace the Simmons Sports Centre have begun. City Council endorsed the replacement of the Simmons Sports Centre during the Special Meeting of Council on February 22, instructing the department staff to begin the preliminary design process for a new facility.
“I am so pleased that the preliminary steps to build a new facility at the current site of the Simmons Sports Centre can begin in earnest,” said Councillor Terry Bernard, Chair of the Parks, Recreation and Leisure Activities Committee. “It is clear that this facility has been and continues to be so valuable for the residents of the City of Charlottetown. That is why I am thrilled that our Parks and Recreation Department staff can start planning for the future of a safe, sustainable and resilient facility that could be enjoyed for generations to come.”
The Parks and Recreation Department staff will begin to engage the necessary professional services to validate the department’s preliminary review of the site as being suitable. If the site is deemed appropriate for the construction of the complex, staff will proceed with the next steps for the facility, which include hiring the necessary services to complete the Green House Gas Mitigation Assessment Report, a Climate Resilience Assessment Report, and preliminary designs for the facility. During the design process, which will include a single pad arena and pool, other features may be explored, such as a walking track and multi-use facilities.
Following the completion of the preliminary designs, the concepts will proceed to public consultation for additional input from the community.
Parks and Recreation Staff also recommended that the remaining funds from preliminary studies done for a proposed ice pad at the Bell Aliant Centre (UPEI Campus), which will not be moving forward, be reallocated to this project to complete the necessary reports and preliminary designs. Following the design process and estimate costs for the scope of the work, an application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) Climate Change Mitigation Stream fund will be submitted.