“O.itemList.length” “- this.config.text.ariaShown
“This.config.text.ariaFermé”
Plans for a multimillion-dollar sports and occasional center in Charlottetown are advancing, but the city says it will take time before there are shovels on the ground.
A Sierra Planning and Management report released on Friday, which the city approved, sets rules for investment and implementation.
Charlottetown Mayor Phillip Brown said he sees two targets in the report. They’re building a new long-term facility, they’re also replacing the Simmons Arena in the short term.
“The long-term purpose is to combine a plan, an investment plan, a structure plan for the new multipurpose sports entertainment center,” Brown said.
He said the multipurpose sports, entertainment and culture center can last up to nine years.
The mayor assigned it to the structure of the Moncton Future Center, which opened in 2018. Brown said it took about thirteen years.
He said an ad about a Simmons Arena replacement will arrive “sooner rather than later.”
Unknown costs and funding
In a 2017 report, Charlottetown’s new facility is valued at $80 million. According to the new report, this can range from $75 million to $95 million, depending on the size.
The report indicates that these prices will rise and recommends that all degrees of government, donor corporations and the network become all degrees of government.
Ottawa does not provide investments because there are professional and semi-professional groups on the premises, adding the Charlottetown Islanders hockey team and the Island Storm basketball team.
Experts that the new center will be built on the site of the old government garage on Riverside Drive.
The environmental cleaning fee in it would be millions.
“I think we are very positive about this Array report … by adopting it, we must act accordingly,” Brown said.
The new facility can accommodate up to a 5,800-seat main arena and a momentary net ice surface. There would be an area for concerts, theater and halls.
Wayne Long, the city’s time progression manager, echoed the mayor’s comments that the center did not do it overnight.
“I would say we’re somewhere in the three to five year range, if everything goes well and the government and other spouses’ investment budget have to execute the plan.”
The installation will not be in condition of the 2023 Canadian Games. Improvements will be made to the existing Eastlink Center, which Long believes can easily fulfill the wishes of the games.
Learn about CBC P.E.I.