A feasibility study for the Creighton Sportex is budgeted for 2018.
Whether or not the study will be conducted depends on the state of the town’s five-year strategic plan, which is still under consideration.
The study was included in the town’s recent budget at a cost of $20,000.
“They want to do a feasibility study on the building, so we’ve got $20,000 for this year budgeted for that,” said Cindy Davis, administrative assistant for the Town of Creighton.
“We’ll find that out through the strategic plan. There are a few options we’re looking at,” said Paula Muench, chief administrative officer for the Town of Creighton.
“The feasibility study is something that we’re looking at doing along with our strategic plan. We’re waiting to get all the information back. It’s something we’re really considering, but we haven’t made a decision on that yet.”
While the feasibility study is not a certainty, town council’s general government services committee has already discussed ideas for the site.
Some improvements suggested for the facility in a committee report obtained by The Reminder include potential use of the area above the computer room, a separate power metre for the school shop area and installing solar panels or other environmentally friendly options to offset electricity costs.
The Sportex was built in 1978. The arena features a multi-use area used as a skating rink and an event space, as well as the former curling rink, which is currently used as a shop space for Creighton Community School students. The former curling rink at the site was shut down in the early 2000s.
In 2014, town council had planned to permanently shut down the arena’s ice plant, eliminating the winter skating surface, due to high cost and low demand. After a public outcry, the plans were reversed.
“The building’s lifespan is coming up. We’re looking into whether its worth it to pump more money into it, if it’s worth it to do those upgrades, if there’s maybe something else we can do, a different way that could be more feasible, if there’s a way to enhance the Sportex and bring costs down, something like that,” said Davis.
Another possible improvement for the facility would include rebuilding and renovation for the dressing rooms at the Sportex.
The initiative, which would involve remodeling done by Creighton Community School shop students, has not been approved but is under discussion.
“We asked him to bring some more information for us to consider,” said Muench.
