During Wednesday's city budget meeting, Ward 3 Councillor Joe Campbell's lone item request was to look into expanding the historic McIntyre Arena into a larger facility. One that could be capable of hosting large conventions, and perhaps one day, a major junior hockey franchise.
He told his fellow councillors that the reason he added it to the agenda was in direct relation with the upcoming aquatic/recreational complex on the grounds of the Archie Dillon Sportsplex. The idea of adding a 'field house' to facilitate basketball and racquet sports to the new project didn't sit well with him, citing many sparingly used gymnasiums around the city.
Campbell expressed concerns of financially handcuffing the next several councils with brand new builds when there are existing facilities which could be renovated and re-purposed. He said a new pool wasn't a prudent idea.
"For some reason this council doesn't want to look at opportunities for renovations. The local pool that we have right now, maybe it doesn't fit the kiddie pool, maybe it doesn't fit the hot tub pool, maybe it doesn't fit a slide or a pirate ship, but it certainly has opportunities for expansion. It is not at 'end of life'. That's a favourite term that design engineers love to use. 'End of life'. Because that creates work for the construction industry and so on. It is not at end of life, and anybody that sits at this table and says it is, is not telling you the facts," he said.
Campbell said one of the area's most iconic buildings, the McIntyre Arena and Community Centre, has potential to be expanded. He pointed out recent examples in North Bay and Rouyn-Noranda, Que. of older, outdated arenas finding new life with major renovations.
Councillor Mike Doody said he supported the idea, as it has been discussed in the community for decades.
"I have to remind everyone that this is one of our golden gems. Not just for Schumacher, but in the entire community as a whole.
"I certainly would be in favour of the possibility of having a study done on it, and coming up with a conceptual drawing of what that could look like, and what it could be used for. I certainly think there is a need for a sports complex/convention centre," said Doody.
Councillor Pat Bamford said he was also on board for a study to expand 'The Mac', but felt it had little to do with a new pool.
"I think every project should be able to stand on its own merits. I don't want to pit one against the other," he said.
Bamford suggested that when the study is done, a broader perspective on recreational/arena facilities in the city should be a big factor.
"The study should look at the costs of what it would take to upgrade The Mac, what it would take compared to let's say, building a new arena, with additional seating, and if there's a need. I think the study should look at if there is in fact a need."
Councillor Noella Rinaldo recalled many years of talks on potentially upgrading the arena, and felt it was again time to put some wheels in motion.
"You have to start somewhere, and you have to start visualizing it, because its not something that's done overnight. So I'm willing to look at it again," she said.
Referenced by several members of council on Wednesday, there was a study and expansion idea concept produced back in 2002 according to Campbell.
"A lot of people have seen it, but unfortunately I've tried to find it, by talking to different city people and so on. I have been unable to do it," he said after the meeting.
Campbell also said he realizes that the city may never be able to afford a major arena expansion, citing serious economic challenges faced by the municipality in the years ahead.
"But I didn't want it to get buried and reach a point where we couldn't at least look at it, and that's the only reason why I brought it forward."
He emphasized he wasn't looking for a detailed design, but rather a schematic, to see what the options are, and what is feasible.
Parking issues
Bound fairly closely by a major thoroughfare, a beloved park, and two bodies of water, the McIntyre Arena area does not appear to be ripe with space for a glut of additional parking. The arena itself can currently hold over 1,900 people, and during Timmins Rock (the arena's major tenant) games, patrons are often forced to get creative in finding space for their vehicles. More seats inside would obviously require more parking outside.
"We did fill in part of the lake to get additional parking previously. Could we still do that? I don't know if that's going to fit with the Ministry of the Environment, I really don't know," said Campbell.
He mentioned purchasing the Chamber of Commerce building across the street, and nearby properties in Schumacher as hypothetical ideas to find the space.
"There's options there. They may be costly, but it's something you'd have to cross because there's definitely a shortage of parking there."
The McIntyre Arena has plenty of charm, but many obstructed views for spectators. Andrew Autio for TimminsTodayOld beams, bad sightlines
Built in the 1938, the McIntyre Arena is still more than functional but it does show signs of age in certain aspects. One of those being obstructed views of the ice surface from the roof support structure. It was mentioned by both Bamford and Campbell during Wednesday's discussion.
"Basically what you're looking at doing in an expansion, is 'honeycombing' that roof to take those right out of there. If you go out towards Highway 101, and you bring the seats up in that direction, you could put a foyer under there where you could have concessions, dressing rooms, and proper washrooms," said Campbell post-meeting.
"The options may be so cost prohibitive that you might scale it down, and say 'let's modernize what we have'."
Campbell said a community group in Schumacher, which includes former Mayor Tom Laughren, will be in talks with government officials soon about possible heritage funding for upgrades to the arena.
What would fill extra seats?
If the McIntyre Arena were to expand to a 3,000 to 6,000 seat facility, a major tenant would be required for financial viability. An Ontario Hockey League team is an obvious target. North Bay, Sudbury, and Sault Ste. Marie each have OHL franchises.
"I'd like to see it. Is it going to be possible? I don't know, I don't speak for David Branch and the Canadian Hockey League. But I mean, major junior plays in some smaller centres than Timmins," said Campbell.
For example, Owen Sound is a community of just 22,000, and their hometown Attack play in an arena of 3,500 seats. Rouyn-Noranda is another Northern community very similar in size to Timmins and has had a QMJHL franchise, the Huskies, since 1996.
It could be a 'chicken or the egg' scenario where the OHL would likely not even consider having a franchise in Timmins without a suitable, larger arena, and it would be a financial risk to build a larger arena without adequate and crowd inducing tenants on board.
The NOJHL's Timmins Rock are currently averaging 846 tickets sold this season, the league's highest average.
Campbell told TimminsToday that recent events have proven the city is still hungry for more live music, and an improved facility would help in that regard.
"We don't have a venue that would entice the larger promoters to come here in the winter months, so that's another thing that a larger McIntyre Arena could do. There's a lot of options, and I'm just glad that most of council agreed that this is a possibility, but we're not going to spend a lot of money now, we just don't have it."
Nothing was formally decided on Wednesday night, and the topic will likely be back on an agenda in the near future. Campbell was satisfied with the verbal support from his fellow council members and didn't forsee the idea being particuarly costly at this stage.
"I don't think its a rather expensive process for someone to sit down and provide a conceptual design. This is not a detailed design. It could be relatively cheap."
