The RJ Lalonde Arena is in need of some upgrades, at least that's what Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre general manager Todd Muir was telling the Town and MD of Bonnyville.
During their regular council meetings last week, both the town and MD heard what's in store for the C2.
According to Muir, these are some of the facility's first enhancements. They're hoping that changes to the southwest entrance of the arena will bring it up to code, while upgrades to the VIP area will brighten and create a more up-to-date space.
When it comes to the VIP room, Muir said the plan is to tear down the multi-coloured wall that currently has eight windows facing into the arena.
“The VIP area, when you go in there (now) with those little windows, you can have two or three people looking out. Otherwise, you can’t see the game,” explained Reeve Greg Sawchuk during the MD's council meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 10.
The C2 will replace the wall completely with four fully retractable insulated glass doors, with the exception of a few support beams.
“If anyone has been to Cold Lake to see their new arena, you see they have the same thing with these doors that actually go up and allow for access to the new arena. It makes for a larger viewing space,” detailed Sawchuk.
Mayor Gene Sobolewski said during the town council meeting on Tuesday that people were talking about having an area "where they can still enjoy the game, while having a place to socialize and do what they need to do back there."
He continued, "It’s in a lot of arenas."
The enhancement includes removing the top row of seats along that wall and installing a solid-surfaced standing drink rail.
Those seats often go unused during games, which is one of the reasons why they think the row won't be missed.
Muir said they also plan on including standing tables in order to open up the space more.
“We’re not going to have any real change, hopefully we will have more space for people by taking out those seats," he exclaimed. “That’s really the big part of the project."
In order for the southwest entrance to be up to code, which it currently isn't Sawchuk noted, the C2 needs to make some changes to the layout of the stairs and ramp.
“There were concerns on that first ramp going down, and not actually having protection at the bottom,” he explained.
Instead, they would like to remove the ramp altogether, replacing it with a wheelchair lift the C2 already owns.
“We have an accessibility lift already that will go in the corner, so anyone in a wheelchair will come into that lift to be lifted up to the landing area,” described Muir, adding the lift would be installed n the left-hand side of the stairs.
The design would turn the current entrance into a more modern and open space, while bringing it up to code.
Working on the estimated $325,000 project is the architect who originally designed the Centennial Centre, Dave MacGregor.
"One reason (the C2 is) coming to council is the cost," explained Sobolewski, adding the board wanted to get council feedback before putting the project out to tender.
The C2 board needs the green light from both municipalities because they were hoping to use capital funding from the centre's municipal reserves for the project.
This would mean the town and MD would each cover 50 per cent of the cost, equating to about $162,500 each. The most expensive piece of the project is purchasing the glass, which comes with a price tag of around $75,000.
Muir said these enhancements have been on the books for sometime, in fact, updates to the VIP area were suggested following the town's first time hosting the World Jr. A Challenge.
"I think they want to create a new atmosphere and environment at the west end of the arena. The VIP suite right now, with the walls, you may have a couple of people sitting at each window to see the game,” expressed Muir.
