Following a lengthy discussion, City Council agrees on a multi-million dollar investment plan for Fort William Gardens.
This four-year plan is expected to extend the life of FWG by fifteen or more years with a $400,000 increase in 2022 to the capital budget.
The city began looking at pursuing a replacement for FWG with a proposed Thunder Bay Event and Convention Centre, though due to an absence of funding has yet to be advanced further.
While this could alter depending on future council decisions, it is expected that the conversation surrounding a new facility would restart in 2030-31, with an expected opening of 2036.
This long-term investment strategy for FWG would be funded in part by a successful Green and Inclusive Community Building Program application and continued investment from the current capital budget. This would leave the cost to the city to be approximately $645,000.
“This recommendation provides environmental benefits and investments in the building that make it more friendly to the environment, it addresses accessibility deficiencies, it will support the previous and current programming enhancement requirements, and most importantly it provides the city the timing required to implement the recommendations of your recreational facilities master plan,” explains City Manager Norm Gale. “That’s renewal and replacement, or not, of the city’s current arena inventory. In the current state, we in administration feel no immediate sense of urgency to replacement the Fort William Gardens right now.”
Thunder Bay is set to host the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in early 2022.
At-Large Councillor Aldo Ruberto questioned whether this is an event the city would not be able to host in the future because of the aging facility.
“You mention the Scotties and the curling events,” said Ruberto. “I guess I was told this would be the last time they would come here because we don’t meet a certain standard. Is that incorrect or is it correct?”
City Manager Gale was quick to shut down the question.
“I don’t know what you’ve been told, or what your source is, we are not going to comment on anything like that.”
Fort William Gardens opened in 1951, and since then has become a sporting, entertainment, and cultural staple in Thunder Bay.
Th estimated cost of this investment strategy is $2.99-million.
The work broken down by year is as follows:
2022 – Complete building envelope improvements, energy efficiency upgrades, and a new
ammonia detection system for employee and public safety. In addition to completing the work on
the deteriorated exterior finishes, the work would also provide new aesthetic improvements to
the facility.
2023 – Refrigeration plant upgrades, energy efficiency upgrades, and new lower roof and door
replacement.
2024 – Accessibility improvements, specifically the entrance, box office, office area, concessions,
and lobby.
2025 – Change room refurbishments, energy efficiency upgrades.
