Rink expansion falling behind.....

[Big Ern]

Local radio stations report this morning that the rink expansion project is about ten days behind schedule. This from Jon Keen on the Eagle, who interviewed Swift Current director of rec. and parks, Dean Robson.

The reason seems to be "the wind." I don't know what to think about that. Sure, you can't put up trusses in the wind, but really, there are only four trusses to put up. So I hope they get going on that.

There is still hope they can get it done in time, if they start working weekends and longer hours, like Robson stated.

Go Graham GO! LOL

[Scout]

Keen's Korner

Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Civic Center Project Lagging

I'm sure it doesn't surprise many to hear the Civic Center expansion and renovation project is beginning to fall behind schedule.


In anticipation of that, the Broncos scheduled their first eight games on the road with their home opener set for October 12th vs Edmonton.


I recently had a chat with the very willing Dean Robson - the City of Swift Current Parks and Recreation Manager. He's always been more than accommodating and has answered all questions honestly.

Here's a brief recap of that conversation....

JK: Summer continues on and so does the Civic Center project, where's the project at? It looks like there is a lot of work to be done.

Dean Robson: There is a lot of work to be done, we still have about a 1/3 of the project to go. I believe we said from the start we expected the project to be complete by Christmas time of '07, that's still well within reach and on track.

The east end, the end that hasn't moved for three weeks, we had a little problem with the steel trusses. They were delayed and didn't get in. It's about 10 days behind but once again the entire project is still slated to be done by Christmas.


JK: As hockey season opens up, a lot of people wondering about that October 12th home opener...

Dean Robson: We're shooting for having the ice in, it's a full new system and we'll have to tweak that. Refrigeration for us is the main thing. In regards to seating and boxes and washrooms on the far end, there's no guarantees that will be done at that time. Once again we said Christmas for the entire project and I guess some people figured that once Bronco season started that everything would be done accept for areas that would concern everyone else. It's construction and there's no guarantees. People can expect ice, and the existing seats from the facility but a lot of the east end new concessions and washrooms probably will not be ready. We'll get there eventually.


JK: Is there a plan "B" at all if the facility isn't ready for hockey October 12th?

Dean Robson: Well, I don't know if there's a plan "B", we expect things to be up and running. If were 10 days away and we recognized something and all of sudden something wasn't working

then we'd go to a Plan "B". We expect to be running and we expect not to have too many problems.


JK: Every one's asking about it in the community, it seems everyone is interested in it...

Dean Robson: That's awesome, the community should be and we are too. We've really been pushing our contractors and they are going to start working six or seven days a week in certain areas to try and speed things up. We had some problems with the wind, it's pretty tough to put up trusses in strong winds.

[Quarter Pounder W/ Cheese]

At least we've got something on the go there. The Broncos may not be playing hockey in the fanciest facility in October, but at least we know the expansion will get done.

The folks in Moose Jaw probably wish they could say the same.

[Toswammi]

^^^True dat. I have my doubts anything will happen in time in MJ


Now if the end isnt finished and my seat (Section I) isnt available then what?