Proposed 2,500-seat arena would cost $18M
John French
jfrench@squamishchief.com
A professional polling firm determined Squamish residents support construction of a second arena in Squamish to be used for Paralympic sledge hockey during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
The Mustel Group called 300 people over the age of 18 during a three-day period last week to ask if they support the idea of constructing the new arena.
Mayor Ian Sutherland said 67 per cent of those surveyed supported the idea while 22 per cent were opposed and 11 per cent were undecided.
"The survey confirms what we have been hearing from our citizens - bring the Paralympic Arena to Squamish. We look forward to working with Whistler and VANOC to make the dream of a new arena in Squamish a reality."
The poll was commissioned after it became clear there was a chance the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) may decide it doesn't want to build a second arena in time for the Olympics.
Sutherland said if Whistler does ultimately decide it won't build a second arena with 2,500 seats, then the District of Squamish (DOS) is considering entering into a partnership with the Vancouver Olympic Games Organizing Committee (VANOC).
Another partner will be brought into the deal to help build the arena, but Sutherland said that partner would be chosen after a request for proposals (RFP) is sent out. The role the partner will play will become clear after the responders to the RFP are analyzed.
"We've had discussions with different people who could be partners with this, but we can't move ahead yet," said Sutherland.
"We are looking for a partner that is in it for the long term."
The mayor said he is confident a good partner will be found if Squamish finds itself in a position to build the arena and he noted a long-term tenant, like a Junior A hockey team, is also needed.
The facility is proposed for the Brennan Park recreation site at a total cost of approximately $18 million. VANOC would contribute between $9 and $11 million of the total cost, with the balance being funded by the District of Squamish and the proposed partner.
The District's contribution would be no more than 25 per cent of the total cost with the DOS portion to be raised through the sale of DOS owned land.
Sutherland said the partner would have to be willing to build the facility at a guaranteed cost so if there are budget over runs the builder will be responsible for any costs above the original budget.
The DOS is aiming to have the new arena in operation by early in 2007.
The Mustel Group interviews were done by telephone with results estimated to be accurate with a margin of error +/-5.7 per cent at the 95 per cent level of confidence.
The DOS received a summary of the findings and Sutherland said the full report from Mustel is expected soon.
The survey results were shared with VANOC and the RMOW. A decision by the RMOW on the facility being located in Whistler is expected in early September. VANOC will make the final decision on the location by the end of September.
"Now we wait and see," said Sutherland. "Whistler has the first decision to make. If Whistler decides to go ahead and build a paralympic arena then that is it. Until Whistler says 'yes' or 'no' we don't have a whole lot to do right now."
