Written By Olena Riznyk
LUCAN – Anand Desai, principal planner and partner at Monteith Brown Planning Consultants, and Alison Hannay of Cornerstone Architecture presented a study at the latest Lucan Biddulph council meeting on October 13. It looked at adding a second ice pad at the Community Memorial Centre, with an estimated construction cost of $23.3 million.
The study followed the township’s 2024 parks and recreation master plan. It examined whether another rink would fit on the property and what it would cost.
Local ice sports groups reported that they could not get enough time at the existing arena. Some described limiting registrations, changing programs or travelling outside the municipality to find ice.
The consultants received 856 responses to a community feedback form. They also held workshops with arena users, township staff and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, and a public open house.
Of those who completed the form, 81% said they would use the centre more often with a second rink. A new ice pad and walking track were a high priority for 87%.
The proposed addition would sit north of the existing arena. It would include a regulation-size rink, an indoor walking track around the ice, accessible dressing rooms and a warm viewing area. Plans also show washrooms, office space and spectator seating above the dressing rooms.
The existing ice resurfacer could serve both rinks. The concept includes a new entrance facing Main Street and a separate childcare entrance away from the driveway.
The preliminary construction estimate uses current-year prices. It excludes land purchases, future price increases, permits, land surveys and resulting impacts, and contingency funds. Desai said the estimate could vary by up to 25% either way.
Annual operating costs for the second pad were estimated at $285,000 in current-year prices. It could cover those costs with 62% of winter prime-time hours booked, assuming most bookings come from minor sports groups.
At 75% utilization, the second pad could generate about $346,000 in annual ice rental revenue, leaving a $61,000 operating surplus. Those projections exclude debt and interest costs.
Parking needs further study. The concept would, at best, provide close to the existing number of spaces while adding another rink.
Possible funding sources include government grants, naming rights, corporate sponsorships and community fundraising. The presentation noted that government grants remain highly competitive.
Council received the presentation for information. Construction of the second ice pad has not been approved.
