During a special meeting of council Thursday, councillors voted unanimously in favour of accepting a lease agreement with Buckingham Sports that will see the City of Cambridge pay $1.245 million a year for ice time at the expanded Cambridge Sports Park on top of an annual base lease of $150,000 for the next 25 years.
The agreement, hammered out over the last six months, will facilitate the construction of two new NHL sized ice pads to make a four-pad facility with 900 seats total. One of the rinks will be able to accommodate sledge hockey. It's estimated the new facility could open in time for the 2023-2024 ice season.
Once the expanded Franklin Boulevard facility opens its doors, the city will decommission the Dickson and Duncan McIntosh arenas since the older arenas will be considered surplus to the city's needs.
At the end of the 25-year agreement, the company has the option of renewing for another 25-year term or ending the lease.
Coun. Mike Devine wanted clarity around what will happen should the company decide not to renew its lease agreement with the city, or at the end of 50 years.
The question prompted staff to take a brief recess to review the lease at which point city solicitor Lisa Shields confirmed the city would then own the building.
The city already owns the land and leases it to Buckingham.
"I think it's going to be very beneficial for the city," said Shannon Adshade, adding that with the sports complex and addition to the Preston Memorial Auditorium "we're going to become a city with above average recreational facilities."
Applauding staff on their work to come to the agreement, Coun. Nick Ermetta said he "thinks it's an exciting day for Cambridge."
"I believe these kinds of partnerships provide great amenities at an affordable price," he said.
The partnership with Buckingham is considered an affordable option to the $26 million projected cost of adding a twin pad arena to the city’s planned southeast recreation complex.
"It's going to increase tourism and it's really going to put us on the map as the hockey city that we are," said Coun. Scott Hamilton.
Coun. Pam Wolf said she prefers a complete city owned and run operation but with financial constraints from the planned sports complex and expansion of the Preston Memorial Auditorium, she understands it would be too great a tax burden for residents.
Not only are we getting brand new rinks, centrally located, it's at a reasonable cost to our city, said Mayor Kathryn McGarry.
She added user groups in the city have a lot to celebrate this year, including the 100th anniversary of the Galt Arena Gardens.
Cambridge Sports Park amenities will include:
- Improvements to the existing twin pad
- Two new NHL sized ice rinks
- Twelve large dressing rooms
- Accessible shower and washrooms facilities
- Two referee rooms
- Spectator seating of a minimum 400 seats on one new pad and up to 300 seats on a second new pad
- Spectator seating of 100 seats each on existing ice pads.
- 2,000 square feet of secured, accessible, ventilated climate-controlled storage and office space for the City and sports user groups.
- Design will accommodate sledge hockey on one ice pad.
- Restaurant will be renovated with a new snack bar and community meeting rooms.
- Pro shop with skate sharpening
- Media room with sound for figure skaters
- Heated lobby heated
- Fully accessible
