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Tiger Trauma
01-23-2007, 01:15 PM
Arena price tag skyrockets to $90 M
-Wayne Rooney

The price tag for a new arena will be much higher than initially suspected, and the main tenant still appears wary of supporting it.
At Monday’s council meeting representatives of GEC Architecture presented the Arena Feasibility Planning Study Report, recommending a facility that would seat 7,136 fans and cost between $85 and $98 million depending on location.

The first feasibility study, presented in November 2005 by Nustadia, Inc., suggested options costing between $37 and $55 million for seating ranging from 6,000 to 10,000.
“Let there be no mistake about it,” said Ald. Bill Cocks. “It is going to cost the taxpayer a significant dime.”

Of the 11 sites investigated, GEC took a closer look at four and recommended building south of 2nd Street between Maple Ave. and Ash Ave or south of 2nd Street between Ash Ave. and Birch Ave. Either option would require expropriating 11 residences at an estimated cost of $2.5 million.
The area adjacent to the Family Leisure Centre also received high marks. The other closely-inspected location along the Black and White trail near South Ridge was not recommended.
GEC project manager David Swanson said the potential boost to the downtown economy is a big reason why the 2nd Street locations were favoured.
“The reason we recommended the downtown sites is the long term viability of the facility, the greatest potential for positive economic impact, realizing the maximum return on investment,” said Swanson.
In GEC’s plan, the current 36-year-old Arena — which seats 4,006 — would be demolished and turned into 800 parking spots for the new facility.
However, the Western Hockey League’s Tigers, whose 166 straight sellouts and waiting list demand of more than 3,500 seasons tickets are the main reason a new arena is being discussed, appear to remain pessimistic about its advantages.
“The Medicine Hat Tigers ownership have expressed great concern over the potential impact of a facility that is larger than needed to meet the demand for seasons tickets,” GEC’s feasibility study report said. “Season ticket sales are vital to the health of most professional sport franchises and the Tigers are no different in this regard. The Tigers foresee an excess of seats reducing the demand for seasons tickets and possible resulting in lower attendance than at present. As such they see any significant increase in size beyond the current capacity as a potential risk, in particular in the years immediately following the building opening.”
But after his presentation, Swanson said the Tigers favour a new building.
“They understand a facility like this is in their best interest as well,” he said. “It’s not just about seating, it’s about a number of the other amenities. The Tigers in our estimation are fully supportive of that.”
Tigers owners Brent and Darrell Maser have continually refused interview requests with the News, but they are on the New Arena Steering Committee.
Though city administration continues to assert that a new lease with the Tigers is imminent, the hockey club remains without a renewed lease, a fact that led the first feasibility study to conclude that building any arena would be moot without the team’s support.
Other benefits from a new arena identified in Monday’s report include hosting large sporting events such as the Scott Tournament of Hearts Canadian women’s curling championships, bigger concerts and trade shows.
But the biggest barrier to ever getting such a facility may be cost.
A final report is scheduled to go back to council on March 5, at which time the city will have to decide what to do next.
“What I would like to point out to the public, it would still be the most expensive undertaking this city has ever done,” said Ald. Graham Kelly, who chairs the steering committee. “It’s a big, big, big, big deal.
“Make sure you make use of your opportunities to attend the public meetings, a big decision is going to have to be made March 5. It’s going to affect your pocketbooks, sports in Medicine Hat.
“We really need your input.”
-Medicine Hat News