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continued from p.1 · Retaining the heritage wooden trusses · An NHL-size ice surface · Seating for 300-350 people in the rink area · A walking track · A new seniors' centre · Administrative offices · A gymnasium · A new Kinsmen Pine Room for public meetings and events A new fire hall will also be built on the corner of Kerr Street and Rebecca Street. The total project budget, including the fire hall, is $36.7 million and construction is expected to begin in early 2017. "There has been strong support for maintaining the heritage of Oakville Arena and the history that it has," said Michael Brennan, senior manager of recreational services with the Town's Recreation and Culture Department, during the arena presentation. "Many people have told stories about how they had grown up here, how they played hockey here, how their parents had played hockey here, how they had been to the circus here." Brennan said in planning the renovation, residents called for the Oakville Senior Citizen's Recreation Centre on Kerr Street to be moved to the arena site so it could be larger and better accommodate the seniors' program needs. He noted discussions with the public also made it clear they did not want to lose any of the outdoor amenities, such as the baseball diamonds, the children's play structures or community gardens. "We have managed to maintain all the outdoor facilities, although it was a very tight fit, as well as provide a new arena with a new community centre attached to it," said Brennan. Improved outdoor features include a multi-use court, which can be converted into an ice rink in the winter. Those present also heard from David Dow, of Diamond Schmitt Architects, who spoke about the specifics of the proposed arena design. He emphasized the designs are not yet set in More than 100 check in on Oakville Arena plans 3 | Thursday, April 21, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com All three options for the Downtown Cultural Hub Plan call for the fire hall to be relocated and the property developed into a 12-storey residential building. Brennan estimated the cost of moving the fire hall to the Oakville Arena at approximately $7 million. Other residents asked about parking at the arena once the renovation is complete. It was pointed out parking would stay about the same with around 170 spaces. Some residents called for the parking to be underground, but were told such work would be extremely expensive. Former Ward 2 Town council candidate Fraser Damoff said that while the designs for the arena are impressive, he left the meeting disappointed that the arena would not feature a fitness facility (e.g. weights, exercise bikes) unless the renovation comes in under budget. "The low-cost fitness facilities offered by the Town of Oakville are, by-and-large, the most afAn artist's rendering depicting the exterior of the Oakville Arena once renovations are complete. fordable in the entire Town and offer families of | courtesy Town of Oakville all income levels the opportunity to live an active lifestyle," said Damoff in an email. Chair Robert Maich asked about the decistone. "Considering Ward 2 does not have a Town Dow said the form and context of the existing sion to move the Town of Oakville fire station of Oakville fitness facility, I believe that it would arena is to be maintained, noting the existing roof from Navy Street in Downtown Oakville to the be a huge missed opportunity for our commuOakville Arena property. will stay as will the interior. nity if we don't include one in the new Oakville Brennan noted studies to revitalize the Down- Arena." He noted due to the increased size of the hockey rink, seating would be reduced from approxi- town core found the fire hall site could be better Residents can view the proposed plans for utilized as a place for people to live and work. mately 1,000 to 300-350. Oakville Arena at www.oakville.ca. He said that because the rink is used more for the community than for tournaments, a larger number of seats is not imperative. The Diamond Schmitt Architects representative said the proposed full-sized gym would be large enough to accommodate a large basketball court. The seniors' centre component would feature a series of multi-purpose rooms, a coatroom, kitchen, a quiet lounge and fireplace. Questions from the audience focused on a number of areas. Former Halton Regional Police Service Board ADDITION YOU ALWAYS WANTED IN JUST IMAGINE THAT 5 DAYS! 1 888 610 4959 CALL TODAY Amazing! Almost Too Good To Be True! Conventional timelines for building an addition range from 8 months to a year. 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