With council go-ahead secured, earthwork for Dufferin arena multiplex to begin later this month

The final design from council was to proceed with three full rinks and a mini-rink. The facility will also be home to a new TNRD library, along with a fitness facility and other amenities.

The project is progressing through use of an integrated project delivery (IPD) team, similar to the performing arts centre, ensuring all contractors have a stake in the success.

“The cool thing about the IPD is it actually sets the profit, overhead and everything gets fixed with the contract, so it’s not an opportunity to increase profit at all. It just stays the same,” said Infrastructure Delivery Manager Matt Kachel. “It just stays static with the rest of the contract, so nobody wins more on a change order. Everybody is treated fairly.”

The arena will, in some way, pay homage to the old Memorial Arena, with a possible fifth rink being added at a later date. That expansion would require an additional land purchase, but Hall noted that may actually be the cheaper option for the site.

“We could build all of this on the land we own – I think it’s 10.5 acres – but what we’ve done is position the actual footprint of the rinks in the most financially conscious area of the development. It’s not going to cost us exceptionally more,” added Hall.

The arena facility is slated to open to the public in 2030.

by Michael Reeve

With council go-ahead secured, earthwork for Dufferin arena multiplex to begin later this month

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