Kinsmen Arena Ice Systems Upgrades

March 28, 2025

High level painting of the steel support beams, columns, and related components wrapped up this week. This work was completed prior to the new arena slab being installed to protect against over-spray once the new floor is poured and cured. The project now shifts to concrete cutting followed by demolition and removal of the existing slab, piping, and ground materials which is scheduled to start on March 31st.

Sandblasting work has wrapped up in the Kinsmen Arena. This tedious process saw the removal and abatement of lead paint through the arena area, including on all the support beams which go across the ice surface.This lead paint removal process required additional safety and remediation practices to ensure the safety of those working within the building.

Work inside the arena has now transitioned to high-level and support beam painting, as well as re-installation of ceiling insulation. These items are being completed now to minimize any paint overspray and the need to do finishing work once the new ice slab has been installed. The project is on track to start concrete demolition and removal in the coming weeks.

In addition to the sandblasting and painting within the arena area, work has been progressing in the ice plant and electrical areas of the facility, including renovations to piping and refrigeration systems in preparation of new equipment. The new arena chiller was also delivered, ensuring it is on site and ready to go for installation in the coming months. Flooring in the Blue Room has also been removed and remediated in preparation of the new rubber flooring being installed.

February 11, 2025

Sandblasting within the Kinsmen Arena is continuing, however is a lengthy, dusty process! Images below show the progress made so far, and we expect this to continue for a few more weeks until finished. Once completed, the sand and paint debris will be collected and disposed of properly, after which the project will shift to demolition of the concrete floor and excavation of ground materials.

At a media event held on January 27th, the Kinsmen Club of Yorkton announced a donation to the Kinsmen Arena project. Ron Hanishewsky, President of the Kinsmen Club presented Mayor Aaron Kienle with a cheque for $220,000.00 towards the replacement of the arena boards and glass. In a statement, Mr. Hanishewsky said that "The Club's donation to the project will ensure the arena remains a key venue for sports and recreational activities for future generations."

Additional details can be found on the Kinsmen Club of Yorkton's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/YorktonKinsmen, and on the City's News and Notices webpage at https://www.yorkton.ca/Modules/News/en.

The City of Yorkton truly appreciates this contribution from the Kinsmen Club!

Photo courtesy of Kinsmen Club of Yorkton.

January 20, 2025

Tear down and removal of items continues at the Kinsmen Arena. The rink boards, arena glass and stanchions, player benches, spectator seating, protective netting, and other amenities have been removed as work progresses. Up next is sandblasting and the safe removal and abatement of lead paint from in side the arena area, before we move into demolition and excavation of the concrete arena floor and base materials.

January 6, 2025

Things look a little bit different around the Kinsmen Arena! After a very successful Paint the Ice event on December 23^rd, staff worked over the holidays to remove the ice from the rink to prepare things for PCL Construction to move in. Currently, work is being done to remove the arena glass, which will be followed by removal of the rink boards, bleacher seating, and other amenities within the arena. Subscribe to this page to stay up to date with the Kinsmen Arena project!

What is being completed during this project?

The Kinsmen Arena Ice Systems Upgrades Project will see replacement of the concrete slab (including all the refrigeration piping), new arena boards and glass, arena dehumidification and code and safety upgrades in the plant room. The project will also address some spectator experience items including new bleacher seating complete with accessible seating areas, replacement of the safety netting surround the ice surface, new sound system, and other improvements.

Why are the dressing rooms not being renovated? Why is the rink not being twinned as part of the project?

The intent of the project is to ensure that the ice plant and related mechanical/building systems can support ice for the next 15 years. Renovations to the dressing rooms and lobby areas were not included in the scope of the project.

Twinning of an ice surface was the focus of the Gallagher Centre Renewal Project in 2019 which did not proceed.

Why did the City decide to shut the Kinsmen down in the middle of the hockey season? Why doesn’t the project happen when the rink is closed during the summer?

The Kinsmen Arena project is scheduled to take up to 9 months to complete, and would have an impact on the hockey season regardless of when it starts. The City and Yorkton Minor Hockey worked together to determine when would be the best time to close the rink, and landed on a January start date for the closure and start of the project.

When is the last day for skating at the Kinsmen Arena?

December 23 is the planned last day for skating.

When will the rink re-open?

The project is anticipated to be completed in time for the rink to open in September 2025 for the next hockey season.

I heard the project costs over $12 million dollars. Why does it cost so much?

The approved budget for the project is $4,500,000.00, not including GST:

• Project Cost - $3,925,615.66
  • Removal of existing boards, glass, concrete slab, and excavation of ground materials
  • New ground materials to build solid foundation and base
  • New concrete slab, complete with refrigeration piping
  • New rink boards, glass, player benches, and spectator amenities
  • New arena dehumidification system
  • Code requirements, safety, and mechanical upgrades within the arena ice plant room
• Spent to Date - $215,561.86
• Project Insurance - $34,980.00
• Project Contingency - $328,055.00 (only if required)

How much are taxes increasing because of this project?

This project does not have an impact on taxes. The Kinsmen Arena project is internally funded by the annual Recreation Levy through 2030, becoming available for the 2031 budget cycle.

July 29, 2024 – Project Awarded

Following the July 8^th Council meeting, the City’s project team, representatives from Alton Tangedal Architect (the project consultants) and project personnel from PCL Construction met to begin reviewing options to reduce the scope of work and overall project budget. The primary focus was on cosmetic items, including sandblasting and painting, blue room rubber flooring, protective netting, ceiling patching, and the arena sound system. Further investigation into refrigeration system adjustments, electrical and mechanical revisions, and potential changes to the dehumidification system was completed, however substantial cost savings were unable to be identified. A direct connection between the City and PCL’s internal insurance division was also made in order to explore project insurance options and costing.

Potential changes to the project scope and budget savings was presented to Council at the July 29, 2024 Council meeting, and while approximately $130,000.00 in savings was identified it was decided to proceed with awarding the project to PCL Construction as originally tendered. As many of the proposed project changes would be required in the near future, City Council was unanimous in including these items in the overall project now, saving on future costs, down times, and potential impact to operations.

The Kinsmen Arena Ice System Upgrades project has been awarded to PCL Construction Management Inc., with a contract cost of $3,925,615.66, including PST and excluding GST. Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in January 2025, and be completed by September 2025, in time for the start of the 2025-2026 ice season.

The Kinsmen Arena will operate normally from September through December of 2024.

July 8, 2024 - Notice of Intent to Award

Tender bids for the Kinsmen Arena Ice Systems Upgrade project were presented to City Council at the regular Council meeting on Monday, June July 8, 2024. Three bids were received, and Council has authorized Administration to proceed with issuing an “Intent to Award” notice to PCL Construction Management Inc. The Intent to Award notice allows the City and the contractor to review the project and propose revisions to the scope of work in an effort to reduce the overall project budget. A follow up report on the Kinsmen Arena Ice Systems Upgrade Project will be presented to City Council at the July 29, 2024 meeting.

June 13, 2024 - Project is out for Tender

The design for the ice system upgrade has been completed and the project is currently out for tender. The tender results will be presented to City Council in July 2024. If the project is approved to proceed construction will begin in January 2025 with the goal of being completed by the start of the 2025-2026 ice season. The Kinsmen Arena will operate as normal from September through December 2024.