Thunder rumbles at new $25 million rec centre
Council urged to borrow $6.4 million to fill funding gap for new facility
Trent Hills Thunder played their first home game in the new Campbellford arena on Sunday afternoon before a crowd of about 100 who came to see the game and check out the venue.
Before the action started, representatives from Alderville First Nation smudged the arena and had a drumming circle. Then, Mayor Bob Crate and MPP David Piccini did a ceremonial puck drop.
Under new owners, with new coaches and many new players, the team is off to a better start than in recent years, where victories have been few and far between. After their first 10 games they have one win and two overtime losses, good for four points, just out of last place in the East Tod Division of the Provincial Hockey League. The Thunder were coming off a tough 2-1 overtime loss on Friday to the Port Hope Panthers.
Goalie Glen McInnes kept his team in the game on Sunday, making several great stops, but in the end they lost 3-2 to Amherstview Jets. Both Thunder goals were scored by local forward Owen Ellis, drawing big cheers from the fans.
The Sunny Life Recreation & Wellness Centre has been open since Friday for hockey. The pool and fitness section, where recreation and wellness will occur, will open sometime in November, says the YMCA, which is managing that area.
Peter Burnett, Director of Community Services, who has spent countless hours overseeing the construction, said the arena was full on Friday and Saturday as families came to check out the new facility.
After years of dreaming, meetings, planning, and fundraising, the facility is completed and ready for use. Burnett said many finishing touches are being made, which is why the building is locked when there is no hockey so the work can continue.
Campbellford Wholesale is running the concession stand and had to scramble to start since it hasn’t been able to get into the building to install its machinery. They offered hot dogs and cold drinks. But I wasn’t able to get a hot chocolate, but hopefully next time.
On Tuesday, Trent Hills Council will consider a recommendation from Chief Administrative Officer Lynn Phillips on how to fill a $6.4 million funding gap. The final tab for construction by Taskforce Engineering Inc. is just under $25 million, Phillips says in a report.
“This amount includes the required site preparation, design, construction, project management, parking lot paving, pumping station, signage, furniture, fixtures and equipment,” she says.
In November 2022, Phillips reported to council that the cost of the project had risen from $17 million to $21.6 million. “Market forces have greatly impacted the price of construction materials and as a result the total cost of the project exceeds the original cost estimate of $17,000,000 obtained pre-COVID in 2019,” she wrote then.
Council then approved a financing plan for what was then the total projected cost -- $22,730,529. At that point, the town expected to have to borrow $8.5 million to cover its share of the cost.
In her latest report, Phillips presents a table that shows where money to pay for the facility is coming from. ICIP refers to the federal/provincial Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
ICIP Community Culture and Recreation - Federal $4,134,669
ICIP Community Culture and Recreation - Provincial $3,445,827
Flourish / CSCF Northumberland $ 906,000
Naming Rights Sponsorship $1,403,000
Development Charges Reserve Fund $4,674,028
Development Charges Study Post Period Benefit $3,956,348
Industrial Park Reserve $4,893
Sub-total $18,525,266
Loan Amount (estimated) $6,400,000
Total: $24,925,266
The report recommends that council approve the $6.4 million loan from RBC.
For the past several years the municipality has budgeted $550,000 a year to pay for redevelopment of facilities in each of the urban areas, Phillips says. That money has paid for the Hastings Field House and improvements to the Warkworth Arena. Beginning in 2025 that money will be used to repay that loan.
Phillips says that if the municipality is able to obtain any more grants from the federal or provincial governments that amount will be deducted from the $3.9 million now coming from future development charges.
MPP David Piccini has suggested there may be more funding available from the province, but the Sunny Life project doesn’t qualify for any current programs.
Also, during the Tuesday meeting council is being asked to approve an application “to the Community Sports and Recreation Infrastructure Fund for repairs to the Warkworth Arena roof, in the amount of $150,000.”
A staff report explains that there is currently a $200-million provincial program and the municipality believes repairs to the Warkworth arena should qualify for assistance.
“The Warkworth Arena roof was inspected in October of 2022 and in May of 2024 and it was determined that the flat roof located on the south side of the building is in poor condition,” the report says. “The total area in need of repair is approximately 4,700 square feet or 19% of the total roof area.”
It’s estimated it will cost $300,000 for roof repairs and the provincial program should cover half the cost.
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That should stop any other builds, that along with the 1.7 debt for Nappan Island Bridge. Let’s see what the council proposes other than a raise in property taxes.