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.
Members of the Chamber of Commerce listened intently yesterday to an outline of one of the most ambitious building proposals in the history of the Flin Flon-Creighton area. Ron Watt, who is overseeing the proposed $11.2 million Communityplex, spoke extensively of the project before 18 people at the meeting, held at the Friendship Centre Restaurant. The Communityplex would bring together several community and recreational services under one roof, with a new two-storey facility proposed for land adjacent to the Phantom Lake Golf Course. In order for the project to go ahead, the federal, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba governments must agree to provide substantial funding. See 'Money' P.# Con't from P.# In February, Watt applied for a combined $5.4 million in infrastructure money from the governments. "We have had meetings with (the government). They've been very positive on the project," he told the chamber members. Watt expects to know by late July or early August whether the application was successful. The best case scenario would see construction begin next spring. The City of Flin Flon has already 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. If the higher levels of government don't come through, Watt said either the project would have to be redesigned or a fundraising campaign would take place. The project chairman mentioned that fundraising for a similar complex in Dauphin raised $1.2 million. "I don't know if we can raise $1.2 million, but I feel confident that there are people in the community that would be willing to make a donation," he said. The Communityplex plan calls for the eventual closure of the Flin Flon 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. Watt told the businesspeople that the existing facilities are aging and costing Flin Flon and Creighton taxpayers more than $860,000 per year to subsidize. Transferring those services under one roof, he said, would result in an estimated annual saving of $390,000. "Most of those savings will come from heating costs, fuel costs, and maintenance on the aging facilities," Watt said. "There will be some efficiencies labour wise, but that's not the big number." The proposed location of the Communityplex is ideal, in Watt's view, 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. Preliminary drawings for the Communityplex include: A swimming pool complete with a water slide, competitive swim lanes, and an indoor beach. Also being investigated is the possibility of a diving pool. A six-sheet curling rink. An auditorium complete with the raised seating now in the R.H. Channing Auditorium, a spacious stage, dressing rooms for performers, art and pottery rooms, and the necessary office space. A seniors' centre. A family resource centre. A wellness centre for active residents, which would incorporate weightlifting, aerobics and dance facilities. A lounge with a view of both the curling rink and golf course. A clubhouse for the Phantom Lake Golf Course, with locker rooms to be used by golfers in the summer and curlers in the winter. A retail outlet to serve the golfers, curlers, swimmers and people utilizing the wellness centre. The Communityplex'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. Twenty per cent higher would mean a total expense of $13.44 million; twenty per cent lower a cost of $8.96 million.
