Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre Expansion Project
The Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre (WGSC), owned and operated by the City of Brantford, is located at 254 North Park St. The WGSC is the center of sports and leisure activity for the community, and offers residents and visitors year-round access to the sports and activities they love. The WGSC has enjoyed this status for over 35 years. The multi-use facility includes a large aquatics centre housing a 65 metre pool, therapeutic pool, sauna, 150’ waterslide; 3 ice surfaces; full fitness centre; 2 softball fields; 3 tennis courts; 2 football fields; a Sports Hall of Recognition; and food service areas.
Building Canada Fund – Communities Component Intake One
In the summer of 2008 the Governments of Canada and Ontario signed the Building Canada Fund –Communities Component (BCF-CC) Plan Framework Agreement, to award funding towards infrastructure investments to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, support a cleaner environment and enhance the overall prosperity of Ontarians. On February 13, 2009, the Federal and Provincial Governments announced joint funding of more than $685 million for 290 projects in Ontario communities under Intake One of the Communities Component. The successful municipalities are required to match the Federal and Provincial Government contributions. The City of Brantford was successful in their application and has received financial assistance from the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the BCF-CC for Phase 1 of the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre Expansion project valued at $9,000,000.
Phase 1 - Aquatics Addition:
The objective of the City of Brantford Building Canada Fund – Communities Component Intake One application was to acquire supplementary funding for an additional 25m pool, intended to relieve the pressure currently being felt in the existing 65m pool for competitive training demands and provide an improved venue for regional, provincial and national competitions as well as meet the current demand for local recreational aquatics and fitness services. The approved funding identified a new addition that is to include: 25m pool; additional change rooms; a new fitness/dry land training centre. This addition could also include: a multi-purpose space; wellness centre; leisure features; therapeutic pool; modifications to the existing 65 m pool, which could include: equipment storage space; and improved bleacher seating.
In addition to the Building Canada Fund, additional City Capital funding of $470,000 has also been identified for modifications to the existing 65m pool, that include: replacement of the existing first aid control office; meeting/birthday party room; improve the efficiency of the pool condensers; improve staff areas; and pool deck lighting upgrades.
Building Canada Fund – Communities Component Intake Two
On June 5, 2009, the Federal and Provincial Governments announced joint funding of more than $408 million for 183 projects in Ontario communities under Intake Two of the Communities Component. Once again, the successful municipalities are required to match the Federal and Provincial Government contributions. The City of Brantford was successful in their application and has received financial assistance from the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the BCF-CC for Phase 2 of the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre Expansion project valued at $38,882,345.
Phase 2 - Arenas Replacement & Multi-Use Recreational Facility:
The objective of the City of Brantford Building Canada Fund-Communities Component Intake Two application was to acquire supplementary funding for the replacement of the existing inefficient and outdated 3-pad arena with a larger and more efficient 4-pad arena, suitable for ice sports, recreational skating, competitions and tournaments; sufficient change/team rooms; gymnasium/multi-purpose space; and required parking. In order to connect the existing 65m pool and Phase 1 pool addition with the Phase 2 arenas, the following will also be included: central lobby/reception; administration offices; site amenities - exterior walkways, landscaping, lighting, etc. In addition, the following items could be included if the overall approved funding and building footprint can be accommodated: Sports Hall of Recognition expansion/relocation; tournament headquarters room; league offices; concession space/restaurant; running track and commercial retail space.
Total Project value for the expansion project is: $54,535,844