By KELLY LOUISEIZE
The demolition of the old sports arena and the reconstruction of the new Sault Ste. Marie Event Centre is underway.
“A majority of the work is happening right now,” John Aquino, Bonfield Construction Ltd’s vice-president says.
Currently, crews are tearing down the existing Sault Ste. Marie Memorial Gardens on the corner of Queen, Bruce and Bay Streets and beside it resurrecting the new 120,000-square-foot event centre with 5,000 seats and several luxury suites.
Originally, there were to be 13 suites located on the third floor of the complex, but the city is campaigning to sell 13 additional suites.
This is considered phase two of the project, which is currently being priced by Bonfield.
Included in the estimate will be a phase three, where more luxury suites could become available if the demand is high.
“So far they have received holdings on three or four of (suites) in phase three,” says Franco Pastore, principal with EPOH Inc. who designed the facility.
The suites will be equipped with eight to 10 seats and a small lounge area.
The masonry and concrete work is underway. On an average day, one would see anywhere from 50 to 100 subcontractors and tradespeople involved in such a project. An estimated 50 to 60 workers are there right now.
Rainbow Concrete Industries Inc. is supplying the pre-cast bleachers for the luxury suites and mezzanine level.
“The bleachers themselves are pre-stressed,” Peter Nemec, design engineer for Rainbow Concrete says.
Concrete is poured around the tension cables, then the cables are released causing the material to be squeezed. This strengthens the bleachers and reduces cracking.
By Christmas most of their job will be done.
The arena’s primary use will be hockey and ice sports. It will be the new home of the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, but the building will accommodate centre stage concerts, banquets, trade shows and conventions. Special events like tractor pulls and circuses will also hosted at the centre.
“It also serves this community as a emergency response centre as well,” Pastore says.
There will be an area where concessions or memorabilia will be sold. No shopping stores within the facility are expected as the complex is in the heart of the city’s downtown core. At most, a restaurant will open seven days a week providing a lounge area for visitors.
The $25-million project has received $7.4 million in funding through the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program. The municipality is responsible for the remaining funds. A committee has been set up to garner support.
Construction began around the middle of May this year and will be completed in time for the 2006 OHL season.
