Kinsmen Arena Ice Systems Upgrades

October 2019 - Recreation Facility Master Plan

An Indoor Recreation Facility Master Plan was presented to City Council, where a recommendation to replace the Kinsmen Arena by adding a second ice surface to the Gallagher Centre was made. Council authorized Administration to continue planning the Kinsmen Arena replacement at the Gallagher Centre, known as the Gallagher Centre Renewal Project.

April 2021 - Gallagher Centre Renewal Project

A presentation was made at a Council Committee of the Whole meeting to inform discussions regarding the Gallagher Centre Renewal Project. Council formally passed a motion to get a more detailed assessment and costing on repairing the mechanical/building systems for both the Kinsmen Arena and the Westland Arena. The intent was to obtain a consultant opinion of the condition and cost estimated to ensure that the ice plant and related mechanical/building systems could support ice for the next 15 years. Detailed information and project timelines related to the Kinsmen Arena Ice Systems Upgrades can also be found on the Westland Arena Ice Plant Upgrades Project page.

During the summer and fall of 2021, Administration engaged the following consultants to complete an assessment of the various components that support ice mating and maintenance at the Kinsmen Arena:

1. Strong Refrigeration – to conduct an assessment of the refrigeration plant and related components, and provide recommendations for improvements to ensure continued use of the Kinsmen Arena, as an ice arena.
2. BST Consulting – to conduct an assessment of the arena slab floor, header pipe and trench to assess the overall condition of the slab, and to provide recommendations on repairs or replacement.
3. Strong Refrigeration – to determine the ventilation and dehumidification requirements needed to ensure both human safety and facility structure sustainability.

November 2021 - Kinsmen Arena Ice Systems Upgrade

The assessment reports completed by the consultants were provided to City Council. Council deferred a decision on moving forward with upgrades to the ice systems at the Kinsmen Arena to the 2022 budget discussions.

February 2022 - Capital Budgets Approved

City Council approved the 2022 and 2023 capital budgets, which included the upgrades to the Kinsmen Arena Ice systems as follows:

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.