Monday will be decision day in Chatham-Kent when it comes to plans for a new arena project in Chatham.
A report that is going to Chatham-Kent council shows that municipal staff members are recommending replacing Chatham Memorial Arena and Erickson Arena with a twin-pad arena complex and an indoor multisport community centre.
The recommended arena complex would consist of a 2,200 seat ice pad and a 200 seat secondary surface with an estimated one-time cost of $63.8 million.
According to the report, the recommendation is "based on survey results, feedback from a public information centre, benchmarking information and previous master plans."
The plan hinges on funding from the upper levels of government (provincial and federal) to cover 73 per cent of the cost ($46.6 million), leaving the municipality on the hook for $17.2 million, which staff suggest could be covered from municipal reserves or by taking on extra debt.
The recommended plan also factors in a net annual cost of $360,000 for operations and lifecycle expenses, which would result in a tax increase of 0.24 per cent -- that works out to an annual increase of about $6.90 on the average household valued at $168,300.
The cost to the municipality -- and the annual tax increase -- could be lower, though, if private donations or fundraising dollars come in to support the project.
The proposal to build a twin-pad arena has the full support of Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff, who is in favour of a building that would also include a multi-use sports facility capable of hosting indoor soccer fields, tennis courts, and rugby.
"I believe there is enough will out there," said Canniff. "If you look at the survey we did -- with 2,500 people -- over two-thirds said we need to invest and build something... varying degrees of what they're building, but two-thirds said we need to build something."
Canniff notes that financial support from the upper levels of government is key and plays a big factor in the timing of this decision.
"Who knows when the next opportunity is... without federal and provincial money, we probably won't be proceeding with a project," said Canniff, adding public support will be key. "We need the public to step up as well... in any big project in any community you see corporations stepping up, so we will certainly be doing active fundraising to make that happen as well."
In addition to the recommendation for a twin-pad arena with a 2,200 seat ice surface, a second 200 seat surface and multi-sport community complex, staff have also compiled a series of other strategies for council members to consider.
One of them includes keeping the status quo and maintaining the existing facilities at Chatham Memorial and Erickson Arena. The report indicates that would require an estimated $2.83-million in funding for upgrades and maintenance over the next 10 years.
Another option would be to upgrade Memorial arena only at an estimated cost of $16 million -- that would bring the facility up to current building code and accessibility requirements.
A third option would be to support a Sports and Entertainment Centre with a 4,000 seat primary pad and a 200 seat secondary pad. That proposal would also include a multisport complex for indoor soccer, tennis, pickleball, and a walking track.
However, the cost also increases significantly for that proposal -- coming in at an estimated cost of $85.9 million and an increase in net annual costs of $1.18 million.
You can read the full report by clicking here.