Elliot Lake’s Special Projects manager says there is growing public interest in the reopening of the Rogers Arena, so he presented a report to council this week to update the project.
Bill Goulding says while foundation repairs are progressing, significant work remains before the facility can safely reopen to the public.
He says back in May, council approved a life safety audit of Rogers Arena to identify the work required to safely reopen the facility.
Goulding says the report will be brought to council in August to confirm the baseline requirements for recommissioning the arena, proposals for overall scope of work for the project, and presenting options for prioritizing tasks that support a temporary reopening.
He stresses although the foundation phase is progressing well and is expected to conclude by the end of August, substantial additional work will be required before the facility can reopen adding work on the electrical and sprinkler systems were temporarily paused while the foundation work continues.
He says council will review the entire project in August, and it is unlikely the arena would reopen this summer.
Goulding outlined the specifics of some of the work in his presentation.
Installing the foundation micropiles has required removal of large sections of the exterior screen walls and has disrupted interior walkways and the rink floor, increasing the scope of work required to reopen the facility.
He says staff is aware of community discussion suggesting the arena will reopen by the end of summer, but that timeline is not feasible given the building’s current state, the design required to restore the building, procurement of vendors to do the work as designed and lead time for materials to do the work.
A reopening sometime during the 2025–2026 season may be possible, he says, depending on the scope and schedule Council is prepared to support.
The following next steps are planned: · Complete review of the life safety audit recommendations · Present a detailed report to council in August with baseline requirements and options for phased work · Resume electrical and sprinkler system work following completion of the foundation phase · Begin design work for both essential and optional project elements, subject to council direction · Develop a proposed reopening schedule based on approved design scope the City remains committed to reopening Rogers Arena as safely and efficiently as possible.
Staff will continue to provide regular updates as the project advances.
