It would cost $1,465,000 in repairs to keep the aging Northcrest Arena open another three years, according to a new city staff report - too much, in staff's opinion.

To keep it open a few years longer, the report adds, a further $7,295,000 in repairs would be needed.

Don't spend the money, says the report to council: close the arena in April, even though it would inconvenience users such as minor hockey teams.

Although it's been more than 20 years since the city has been able to meet demand for ice time, states the report, it's too pricey to try to save the arena even for the next three years.

Keeping it open to April 2023 would require repairs to the structure, refrigeration plants and water pipes, the report states - and putting off those repairs "is not an option."

Instead, it's recommended council close the arena for good and then consider a possible reuse for the property.

One suggested reuse is to build a new firehall there for the city's north end - but it would take until September before council could get a full report and recommendations on that idea.

In the meantime, no final decision has come from council yet about the arena's fate. A debate is expected as part of 2020 budget talks, which start Monday night.

The new report was released Thursday to give council further details to consider.

Northcrest Arena - which is 52 years old - has been evaluated by Cimco Refrigeration and by Carvajal Structural Engineers.

Cimco found the refrigeration plant has multiple components "that have exceeded their life expectancy": the compressor is 37 years old and was only expected to serve for 25 to 30 years, for example.

A full replacement of the refrigeration plant would be needed in summer 2020 at a cost of $600,000.

In addition, engineers have identified $455,000 in structural repairs. One exterior wall has laterally shifted, for example, and is identified as "an area of high concern" in the report.

Staff also recommends a contingency of $210,000, just in case those structural and refrigeration plants costs go overbudget.

Then there's a further contingency fund of $200,000 to cover emergency water main or sewer repairs that could crop up (water leaks have temporarily closed the arena on a couple of occasions, since 2017).

All those costs - the structural repairs, the new refrigeration plant and the contingency money - add up to $1.465 million.

Meanwhile city staff doesn't think it's a good idea to try to keep Northcrest open until a new twin-pad arena can be built as a replacement.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

A new arena is planned for Fleming College, but construction hasn't started yet because council is still awaiting news on an application for funding from the federal and provincial governments.

Staff has estimated it could be another four years before that new arena opens.

Northcrest will likely need other emergency repairs in the meantime - and it's still unclear what those might be and how much they would cost, the new report states.

Furthermore the report identifies other, more predictable costs: structural engineers have said that the arena roof and ceiling would need about $3.8 million in repairs, for example, if the building is to stay open past 2023.

There would also be $1.1 million in repairs needed to the arena floors and boards, and other costs to overhaul the parking lot and sewers.

All of this would add up to $7,295,000, the report states.

Councillors meet to begin budget talks at city hall at 6 p.m. Monday.

- with files from Mike Davies, Examiner Sports Director

joelle.kovach

@peterboroughdaily.com