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Tiger9
09-19-2006, 02:44 PM
Draft of arena proposal in by December

ANGUS HENDERSON
-Medicine Hat News

A draft report from the consultants of GEC Architecture (GEC) is scheduled
for presentation to the New Arena Steering Committee in early December before being referred to city council.

Committee chair Ald. Graham Kelly informed city council Monday that GEC has developed a project data base, reviewed previous studies and documents. In addition, research has been undertaken on other facilities and/or projects with similar parameters, and community stakeholder groups and primary stakeholders have been identified.

He added that the consultants were “on time and on task” for delivering
their final report. To-date, stakeholder and community consultations have been undertaken with operations staff at the Arena, Medicine Hat Tigers Hockey Club, Medicine Hat Curling Club, Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede, Bob Ridley and The Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre staff. The purpose of the consultations was to gather information regarding the
stakeholders’ requirements, needs and expectations.

Kelly said GEC had found all the groups to be very positive, open and
communicative. Public consultations will also be held soon. Discussions with the Tigers have been so fruitful, that Kelly said he’d be bringing a motion to the next city council meeting to expand the membership of the steering committee to include representatives from the hockey club.

“We on the committee are delighted with the Maser’s (owners Brent and Darryl) enthusiasm,” he stressed. GEC identified that the determination for a second ice surface, the hosting of special events (e.g. curling, concerts) and amenities such as restaurants and retail space would directly impact size and cost as well as site requirements.

Venue tours of three facilities on the west coast that are of a similar size and
scope are planned for the end of September. GEC Architecture is a firm of
architects, technologists and interior designers. Apart from the Medicine Hat Arena Study, it’s also involved in projects such as the SAIT Student Resident, the Nanaimo Ice Arena, the McMaster University Multi-Sports Centre and the
Keyano College College Sports & Wellness Centre.