The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
An ambitious multimillion dollar plan is underway to amalgamate recreational and community services in Flin Flon and Creighton under one roof. The $11.2 million Communityplex would be built beside the Phantom Lake Golf Course and funded primarily by municipal savings from the closure of a handful of public facilities and significant grants from federal and provincial government sources. "This is really about continuing to provide recreational and cultural facilities at an affordable cost," said project chairman Ron Watt, who has been crunching the numbers for more than a year. "Basically we have a collection of older buildings that are energy inefficient, require a lot of maintenance, and the costs are essentially increasing at greater than inflationary pressures." The evolving Communityplex plan calls for the eventual closure of the Aqua Centre, Willow Park Curling Rink, Creighton Sportex, and possibly the Flin Flon Community Hall, in that order. Additionally, the Uptown Curling Rink in the Whitney Forum would be renovated into a rink for minor hockey and figure skating activities, and an indoor soccer pitch. The Communityplex would transfer the services from those facilities Ñ and much more Ñ into a modern complex that would employ an estimated 36 people full-time. Preliminary drawings for the facility feature a swimming pool area complete with a water slide, competitive swim lanes, and an indoor beach. The plan originally called for a wave pool as well, but Watt is now investigating the possibility of swapping that feature in favour of a diving tower and deeper pool. In addition, there is a six-sheet curling rink, which would be used by curlers from both the Uptown Curling Rink and the Willow Park Curling Rink. To replace the Flin Flon Community Hall, the project would include an auditorium complete with the current raised seating, a spacious stage, dressing rooms for performers, art and pottery rooms, and the necessary office space. The Communityplex would double as the clubhouse for the Phantom Lake Golf Course, with locker rooms to be used by golfers in the summer and curlers in the winter. A lounge complete with a view of both the curling rink and golf course would allow residents to enjoy a meal or beverage while taking in the many local bonspiels and golf tournaments. A patio would be attached to the lounge. A wellness centre for active residents would incorporate weightlifting, aerobics and dance facilities. Skateboarders will be pleased to know that the plan also calls for an outdoor skateboard park. Also featured would be a retail outlet to serve the golfers, curlers, swimmers, and people utilizing the wellness centre. The new facility's estimated price tag of $11.2 million is based on a study prepared by Winnipeg-based LM Architectural Group and is considered accurate within plus or minus 20 per cent. See 'Project' P.# Con't from P.# Twenty per cent higher would mean a total expense of $13.44 million; twenty per cent lower a cost of $8.96 million. The municipal governments in Flin Flon and Creighton have applied for federal and provincial funding that, if approved, would cover almost half of the construction cost. The majority of the remaining funding would come from the municipalities in the form of anticipated savings resulting from the closure of the existing facilities. In 2002, the municipalities subsidized those facilities with more than $860,000. On an ongoing basis, the net subsidy of the Communityplex and the renovated Uptown Curling Rink is estimated at $470,000 Ñ a saving of over $390,000 a year. From the projected operating savings, the City of Flin Flon has agreed to provide $3.1 million and the Town of Creighton $1.2 million as long as the Manitoba government chips in $2.2 million, the Saskatchewan government $500,000 and the federal government $2.7 million. The rest of the money would come from two sources: the City of Flin Flon and the curling clubs. Flin Flon would provide the $1.2 million otherwise required to repair the Aqua Centre to keep the facility open. The curling clubs are being asked to contribute a combined $290,000 based on savings expected to stem from a merger of their operations, primarily reduced heat and maintenance costs as well as savings they have accumulated. The Communityplex project does not call for an increase in taxes other than what would be necessary to repair the Aqua Centre. The best case scenario would see work on the Communityplex begin in the spring of 2005 and completed 18 months later in the fall of 2006. However, the funding situation may dictate a need to build the project in three phases. In that case, it may be possible to spread the project over three to four years. Phase I would include the swimming area, wellness centre, and site development; Phase II the curling rink and support areas, family resource centre, and renovations to the Uptown Curling Club; and Phase III the new community hall with its auditorium, stage and meeting rooms. At this point, the project's future hinges on the significant participation of the two provincial governments and the federal government. Watt said only the governments know if they are ready to commit the necessary funding, but he has had some positive feedback from them. "We've had discussions and we've had indications that they're comfortable with the project," he said. "They certainly have a lot of concerns on their plate and they've got to find an equitable way of distributing the money they have. We're hopeful that there will be some funding available." Watt admitted that it's entirely possible the higher levels of government may contribute some, but not all, of the money that has been asked for. If it came to that point, the project would either have to be cut back or Watt and his committee would have to tap into alternate sources of funding, such as fundraising, donations from corporations and service clubs, and/or more money from the municipalities. The proposed location of the Communityplex is ideal, in the view of Watt and his committee, given its proximity to both Flin Flon and Creighton. The building would be built parallel to the sixth hole at the golf course, an area now home to bush and rock ridges. It would be visible from the Creighton Freeway. The location would necessitate some alterations to the golf course. The idea is that the course would be rearranged so as to start from the Communityplex rather than from the current clubhouse. The subsidy to keep the facility open would be shared by both the Flin Flon and Creighton governments according to each community's share of the combined population. Using the latest census, Flin Flon would pay 80 per cent and Creighton would pay 20 per cent. Revenue would also come from the regular fees paid by people using the services. See 'Vacant' P.# Con't from P.# "Our project is not calling for any increases in the membership dues other than what they would normally get with the inflationary cost increases," noted Watt. The realization of the Communityplex would leave five buildings in the area vacant: the Flin Flon Community Hall, Aqua Centre, Creighton Sportex, Willow Park Curling Rink and the Phantom Lake Golf Course Clubhouse. Watt said alternate uses for those facilities would be investigated but expects the Aqua Centre and the Willow Park Curling Rink would ultimately be demolished due to age and structural problems. Given their age and status in the communities, some residents may be reluctant to see those buildings go by the wayside, but Watt has no doubt that doing nothing isn't a viable option. "If we continue on as is, then the costs are going to continue to increase and most likely at more than normal inflation, and the choices are going to be increased taxes or reduced availability of these activities," he said. "This is an opportunity to upgrade the facilities and provide for greater use at an affordable cost." Displays outlining the Communityplex, complete with an artist's conception of the finished project, were placed at Flin Flon City Hall and Creighton Town Hall yesterday, and interested residents are encouraged to take a look. Residents with any questions or concerns relative to the proposed facility may contact the administrator for the City of Flin Flon or the Town of Creighton.
