Kinsmen Arena Summary of History

The following is a summary of the studies and direction related to the Kinsmen Arena Ice System Upgrades Project. Many other community and Council discussions and project team meetings took place but have not been included here.

March 2010 - Kinsmen Arena Conceptual Planning

Stantec Consulting completed a conceptual plan for improvements to the Kinsmen Arena which included a new lobby, renovated dressing rooms and other minor upgrades. The estimated budget was $3.5 million. Council deferred any decision until the completion of the 2020 strategic plan.

August 17, 2011 - Kinsmen Arena Building Envelop Inspection

Concerns regarding high levels of humidity and early ice bookings triggered an investigation into the building envelope and mechanical systems within the arena at the Kinsmen Arena. Associated Engineering conducted preliminary inspections and assessments related to mechanical systems and humidity impacts on the building.

April 20, 2012 - Kinsmen Arena Air Quality & Asbestos Survey

Canadian Indoor Air Quality conducted an Asbestos Survey of the Kinsmen Arena. Areas identified as containing asbestos were appropriately marked to ensure that if they were ever required to be disturbed, it would be done appropriately safe. Asbestos was also identified in the exterior wall insulation.

June 6, 2012 - Kinsmen Arena Building Systems Assessment

Associated Engineering completed an in-depth, visual and physical assessment of building systems in the arena (arena only). Recommendations totaling $1.14 million were provided to address the negative impact of the humidity in the arena proper.

June 2012 - Council Direction: Kinsmen Arena 10 Year Plan

Council directed Administration to plan for the replacement of the Kinsmen Arena so that it would be available to the public in 10 years-time and to bring forward capital projects that would ensure its use until that time.

November 27, 2012 - Kinsmen Arena Inspection

Associated Engineering was asked to continue their assessment and completed a multi-discipline visual inspection of the remainder of the building. The conclusion was “that the arena could be left as is, and still function as it does, however the deterioration will continue, resulting in the facility becoming sub-standard and possibly unusable.” The total estimated improvement costs (including items from June 6, 2012 above) was set at $3.1 million.

February 14, 2013 - Kinsmen Arena Air Quality & Mold Assessment

Canadian Indoor Air Quality conducted an Environmental Mold Assessment of the Kinsmen Arena, which showed no air quality issues, however some areas had significant contamination which required remediation. Their conclusion was that dehumidification and improvement to the exterior envelope of the building should be addressed in order to control mold growth.

2013 - Kinsmen Arena Roof Vents Sealed

Roof vents were sealed at the Kinsmen Arena to reduce mix of warm, humid air with cold dry air, which creates humidity concerns, as per Associated Engineering recommendation, and Council direction from 2012.

2014 - Kinsmen Arena New Doors

New doors installed in the arena envelope at the Kinsmen arena to reduce mix of warm, humid air with cold dry air, which creates humidity concerns, as per Associated Engineering recommendation, and Council direction, from 2012.

2015 - Kinsmen Arena Gable End Wall Removal

Gable end walls, which were wet and mouldy, were removed at the Kinsmen Arena and replaced and seal, as per Associated Engineering recommendation, and Council direction, from 2012.

This was the end of the work required to meet Council’s direction from 2012 which was to plan for new facility to ready in 2022 and ensure the Kinsmen Arena could be maintained sufficiently until a new facility was ready.

Additional significant resources were required beyond these minor improvements, however investing these resources into a deteriorating facility, and for which direction for the planning had been provided, was not a priority.

Focus then shifted to the arena at the Gallagher Centre, due to a request by the Yorkton Terriers to modernize their dressing room facilities. This, combined with the previous direction to plan for the replacement of the Kinsmen Arena, triggered consideration of locating the Kinsmen Arena at the Gallagher Centre which resulted in the Gallagher Centre Renewal Project. Details and timelines on this project Gallagher Centre Renewal Project can be found on the News and Notices section of our website