Dollar figures come out for proposed Aquatic Centre

Before you say anything, there is no approval in place to build an Aquatic Centre in Timmins.

However, to build up such a project you need planning and a study in place.  Sierra Planning presented their feasibility study to city council Monday night.

They say it would cost an estimated minimum $33.5-million to build a pool and attach it to the existing Archie Dillon Sportsplex.

The Sportsplex site is preferred by consultants over another location on Highway 655, across from Gillies Lake.

Council learned the price would go up to around $46-million at the least, if they decided to attach another ice pad and more parking.

That parking would depend on whether the city could acquire land from DSB-One to the south of the building.

Jonathan Hack of Sierra Planning offered some insight on what direction council could go towards in the future.  For example, the new ice surface could provide an opportunity to have ample seating for larger events currently held at the McIntyre Arena.

Hack says he wouldn’t recommend something of the size of an OHL rink (around 4,000+ seating capacity), but the option is there to have around 2,000 seats.

CLICK HERE to see how the numbers break down, along with the rest of Sierra Planning’s presentation.