Mayor-elect Fred HaynesB次元官网网址� public support for a new hockey arena in Saanich raises questions about the long-term future of Pearkes Recreation Centre.
The arena B次元官网网址� which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year B次元官网网址� remains SaanichB次元官网网址檚 primary public arena even as B次元官网网址渕aintenance and life-cycle replacement issuesB次元官网网址� are increasing each year, as outlined in the DistrictB次元官网网址檚 strategic facilities master plan.
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Identified issues with the facility include its low capacity to withstand seismic activity, a concern considering its designation as of one SaanichB次元官网网址檚 community assembly locations.
B次元官网网址淔acility staff also note that the ice rink concrete floor slab is far beyond its designed life, has numerous cracks and should be replaced within the next three to five years,B次元官网网址� reads the report.
Should Saanich invest resources into the floor, it should also consider addressing the seismic capacity of the structure, it adds.
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Notably though, the report does not include the arena among the buildings that staff consider the highest priority B次元官网网址� the parks and public works yard, fire hall no. 2, and the police station.
The arena instead falls into the category of facilities below the category of buildings deemed highest priority. According to the report, services delivery at these buildings remains B次元官网网址渕anageableB次元官网网址� over the next four to seven years. B次元官网网址淐apacity issues may be critical requiring attention with [eight to 15 years].B次元官网网址�
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The report also warns that the facilityB次元官网网址檚 current condition will require B次元官网网址渉eightened attention and increased fundingB次元官网网址� within a foreseeable period of five to 10 years.
Overall, the staff report does not consider the replacement of the arena of the highest priority, but nonetheless makes a case for looking at it sooner rather than later. Notably, the report leaves open the possibility of either renovating the existing structure, as well as B次元官网网址渙ptions for removal and replacement with new structure built to building code for community emergency assembly purposes.B次元官网网址�
As for the rest of Pearkes, the report says the municipality will be able to deliver programs without any difficulties.
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