If last night’s attendance at an open house on North Bay’s planned community centre project is any indication there’s no lack of interest in what the project will look like.

The main features include two rinks: one called a tournament rink with seating for 250 and one called a practice rink with seating for around 100.

As well, the conceptual drawings call for a community wing, a walking track on the 2nd floor above the main arena and a social heart where people can gather.

Marc Downing is with MJM Architects. He says this is a unique project in that their fitting it into an existing athletic facility: The Omischl Sports Complex.

“Here, there’s an ambitious municipal parks master plan. We see our building slotting into that plan. There was a lot to work with even before we got our commission,” he says.

He says this project is quite unique.

The configuration of the plan comes directly from the park master plan. There isn’t another building like this in the province. There isn’t one I’ve worked on.,” he says.

Resident Joe MacDonald likes what he sees.

“The look of it seems to be quite good. It’s got two pads, a running track which is good, it’s accessible to the football and baseball as far as the change rooms are concerned. I think it looks good,” he says.

Some like Dave Saad wanted a facility with more variety.

“There’s potential and the need for things like senior centres, indoor court sports and indoor soccer and that need is equitable to the need for ice facilities,” Saad says.

As for the size, Downing is now looking at a 74,000 sq. foot facility down from 90,000.

(photo by station staff)

 

 

Filed under: community-centre, open-house