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(Posted
12:30 p.m., Aug. 22)
Ottawa Senators group comes forward with plans for Sensplex
East
By
Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
A
group led by the Ottawa Senators organization has come
forward with plans to turn the aging Potvin Arena into
an east end version of the Bell Sensplex compete with
four ice pads.
Ottawa
Community Ice Partners built the Sensplex through a public
private partnership arrangement with the city in 2004.
The arrangement has turned out to be a successful enterprise
for both partners and now the group has been selected
as the preferred bid to carry out a similar project where
the Potvin Arena now sits on Shefford Road near Canotek
Park.
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Architect's
rendition of the proposed hockey complex to
replace the Potvin Arena on Shefford Road.
EMA Architects - Ottawa Senators
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The
City issued a Request for Proposals for prospective private
public partners in March. As a result of that process
Ottawa Community Ice Partners has been selected as the
preferred proponent.
City
council must now give the go-ahead for staff to enter
negotiations with the group to work out the details of
the partnership which will include the proponent having
to build, maintain and operate the complex.
According
to a staff report, negotiations will focus on meeting
the needs of the community, achieving best value for the
City within an acceptable risk structure, and creating
a win-win partnership while minimizing impacts on the
City’s operating and capital budgets.
Staff
are hoping to reach a successful conclusion to the negotiations
by the end of the year when they will present the proposal
to city council.
If
all goes well, construction could begin next spring. The
original timeline called for construction to begin in
the fall with the hope that the complex could be opened
by next fall.
Other
issues must also be worked out besides the building and
operation of a new four-pad ice facility. For instance,
the proposal calls for the Potvin Arena to remain open
during construction of the new building and the sheer
size of the complex will impact the soccer fields and
beach volleyball courts in the area, but how and to what
degree is not yet clear.
While
a number of questions still need to be answered, Beacon
Hill, Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney is optimistic the community's
needs can be met while protecting the interests of taxpayers.
"I’m
very optimistic,” Tierney added. “There could
be a lot of benefits if this all comes together.”
(This
story was made possible thanks to their generous support
of our local business
partners.)
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