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Is Sportsplex rink closed for good??

Is Sportsplex rink closed for good??

Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

Is Sportsplex rink closed for good??
6/9/2023 at 11:15 AM

"City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services is advising that the Sportsplex Arena ice plant will not be operational for the Summer 2023 and Fall 2023/Winter 2024 hockey and skating seasons."

What does this mean for the City of Brandon? The City of Brandon now does not own or operate a ice rink in the city of Brandon. Just think about that for moment. then think of all the communities around Brandon that do! Very sad!
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Sportsplex rink
6/9/2023 at 11:37 AM

Was just reading this, here’s the link with full details. Significant loss that hopefully there are long term solutions for:
https://www.brandon.ca/public-notices-details?var=6562

From what I understood there was already pressure on rinks in surrounding communities for ice time. Not sure how much the JG rink changed that, but have to think any open ice time there will be that much more in demand now! Wonder if plans at the Rec Centre re upgrades kick further into gear if they aren’t already? Either way, I dont have all of the info on the finances or what it'll take for long-term viability but gotta think there might be a great case for an organized campaign for gov funding or something like Hockeyville or Jumpstart here?
Muppet
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 212

Muppet
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 212

sad
6/9/2023 at 12:12 PM

it is very sad, we lack recreational opportunities here in the city already. how much money has the city spent to develop that flood plane over off first street?

isn't it only in phase 1 and 7 million has been allocated to it.
Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

Recreation Facilities
6/9/2023 at 12:21 PM

The city of Brandon administration have know for years that the plant was next to dead. They were told by staff and management of the facility that this was the outcome that was coming. Why did it get to a point were the plant totally fails to get to the discussion and funding to maintain the only rink owned by the city? Thanks god for the j and g group for building their rink 100% on thir dollars and not even in the City of Brandon!

Less than a month ago we had the announcement of a 11.4 million dollar field sports complex. 3.4 million the cities contribution the rest province and federal goverment.1. It will be used 7 months a year at best. Before it has barely started the city of Brandon administration are looking for someone to run it for them based on a expression of interest by the recreation department. Would the city of Brandon approved 11.4 million if it was the cities dollars? No . But the city of Brandon sees 30 cent dollars and think its a deal! Is it when you will be 100% responsible to maintain and operate it? Is this going to be the next Sportsplex in 15 years or less?

The issue is maintenance! Like anything new it needs little cost to maintain . Then the owner has to maintain it . When it is city owned that falls on the tax payer if it can't fund it itself.
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Rec
6/9/2023 at 3:07 PM

Thing is, the makeup of the city has really changed over the last couple decades with a lot of representation by cultures that don’t tend as much toward ice sports. Obviously hockey and skating are and will continue to be a big deal and need to be supported, but when those taxpayer dollars flow everyone has to be considered and there might be a limit to how much can be put into rinks vs other options too. That balance is for people wiser than I to figure out!
Flele
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 99

Flele
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 99

Likely not
6/9/2023 at 4:13 PM

The issue was likely not maintenance with respect to the needed shutdown. Heat exchangers on ice plants wear out and start to leak internally. They test the brine to see if coolant is getting into the brine. When it does they shut the system down, or you get what happened in Fernie BC where staff were killed. You can’t do “maintenance” on the core components, they just fail internally when they get old and need to be replaced. At that point other core things should be replaced as well.
Winter123
Joined: This month
Posts: 848

Winter123
Joined: This month
Posts: 848

so sad
6/9/2023 at 8:11 PM

We frequently use the ice at the sportsplex and this news is very upsetting. Our city needs a rink imo.
Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

Agree
6/9/2023 at 8:49 PM

Adam said "Thing is, the makeup of the city has really changed over the last couple decades with a lot of representation by cultures that don’t tend as much toward ice sports. Obviously hockey and skating are and will continue to be a big deal and need to be supported, but when those taxpayer dollars flow everyone has to be considered and there might be a limit to how much can be put into rinks vs other options too. That balance is for people wiser than I to figure out! "
With out a doubt there needs to be a balance. The mix of nationalities that make up our community has changed and Soccer and cricket are some of the new sports. That being said we have numerous premium soccer pitches both at all three high schools as well as BU and at the Sportsplex track . That is five premium pitches and probably 15 to 20 other pitches within the city. These exist today. Why not maintain those pitches with tax dollars shared with these institution to help maintain the asset we have today. Keep in mind many of these new immigrants probably played these sports most of their lives on pitches much less than the quality we have at these locations. This goes again to the need to maintain what we have vs building new and shiny.

With this announcement we are talking about the only owned indoor rink in Brandon. Remember Brandon is a growing community and that it is even more important to have a least one publicly owned rink. Why did J and G build a rink if the ones we had were accessible to meet their needs?
snowman5
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1022

snowman5
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1022

I'm sorry, but...
6/10/2023 at 11:32 AM

Can someone please explain the Keystone Centre to me? They have both the Enn's Brothers and the Flynn arenas, plus the the big @$$ Westoba Place ice. Doesn't our city throw a shaboop load of money and tax credit relief at that facility? Isn't that ours? Why are people saying Brandon doesn't own any rinks? Granted, the city doesn't run them, but they sure in the heck paid for them. Don't worry, we have ice to skate on with the Keystone and the J&G's joint. And let's face it. almost fifty years is a "good run" for a hockey rink, so what's the gripe? This is exactly what happened to the pool side of the Sportsplex. The pool finally failed after years and years of neglect and cheap fixes with months of debate, finally a decision was given for it's future. All in good time, folks, with the rink. However, it should be noted that Brandon is flat on it's @$$ broke! Manitoba has been broke for decades from the NDP. And our Country's leaderships is currently so self absorbed in it's past achievements that they are in a drunken stupor of denial that the Federal Debt is out of control & will never be paid. Right now, we all should be holding on to hats, waiting for the rate increases for the water an sewer, to cover the tens of millions for lift stations in the development South of Patricia Ave... The idea of either of a new ice plant with lines or a whole new facility shouldn't even be considered an option until the final costs are tallied on these other "approved" projects.

I'm sorry, but we can't afford to replace the rink. My solution is to remove the boards, take all the equipment out, make the change rooms into restrooms and make the space into a community center. That's the cheapest solution. ...Or leave the changerooms as they are and lease the space out to an indoor field hockey / lacrosse club. It's your choice. But should be our only choices.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Edited by snowman5, 2023-06-10 11:34:18
Edited by admin, 2023-06-10 17:15:28. Reason: Language
Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

Agree
6/10/2023 at 12:02 PM

snowman5 said "
Can someone please explain the Keystone Centre to me? They have both the Enn's Brothers and the Flynn arenas, plus the the big @$$ Westoba Place ice. Doesn't our city throw a shaboop load of money and tax credit relief at that facility? Isn't that ours? Why are people saying Brandon doesn't own any rinks? Granted, the city doesn't run them, but they sure in the heck paid for them. Don't worry, we have ice to skate on with the Keystone and the J&G's joint. And let's face it. almost fifty years is a "good run" for a hockey rink, so what's the gripe? This is exactly what happened to the pool side of the Sportsplex. The pool finally failed after years and years of neglect and cheap fixes with months of debate, finally a decision was given for it's future. All in good time, folks, with the rink. However, it should be noted that Brandon is flat on it's @$$ broke! Manitoba has been broke for decades from the NDP. And our Country's leaderships is currently so self absorbed in it's past achievements that they are in a drunken stupor of denial that the Federal Debt is out of control & will never be paid. Right now, we all should be holding on to hats, waiting for the rate increases for the water an sewer, to cover the tens of millions for lift stations in the development South of Patricia Ave... The idea of either of a new ice plant with lines or a whole new facility shouldn't even be considered an option until the final costs are tallied on these other "approved" projects.

I'm sorry, but we can't afford to replace the rink. My solution is to remove the boards, take all the equipment out, make the change rooms into restrooms and make the space into a community center. That's the cheapest solution. ...Or leave the changerooms as they are and lease the space out to an indoor field hockey / lacrosse club. It's your choice. But should be our only choices.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Edited by snowman5, 2023-06-10 11:34:18
"
I think most people would agree with you on the money going to the keystone for the facility not just the rinks. I and others would suggest that the discussion on the sportsplex rink being a rink or a multi use space should have happened well before the plant failed. The time to have a discussion on the direction of a facility is not after it fails but as a part of a plan to maintain or replace it. The pool has been the same issues. It fails then there is talk of its viability. It falls in line with Park Community center. The issue with doing studies is that we spend $1000 of dollars doing studies , consultation and public meeting and then the results recommended are X and in many cased council decided on Y.

If the city didn't think that the ice service should be part of the recreation facilities needed based on the need then it should have been decided before it failed. If you are driving a 50 year old car you should plan on replacing it or plan to do some major work on it . Failing to plan is planning to fail!
Winter123
Joined: This month
Posts: 848

Winter123
Joined: This month
Posts: 848

while
6/10/2023 at 2:32 PM

Not everyone uses the sportsplex rink a lot do. These other rinks do not have public skating/sticks and pucks. These are things we have desperately been missing since the closure. We are not the only ones.

These other rinks are geared to people who can afford to pay for hockey school in the off season and skate Brandon’s lessons. That isn’t always the case.

We just got a notification from J & G rink for 2 night a week hockey school. Almost $1000 price tag. Sticks/pucks at the sportsplex would cost way less. Isn’t that what having a facility is all about. Affordable services for all?
Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

Great points
6/10/2023 at 4:34 PM

RC123 said "Not everyone uses the sportsplex rink a lot do. These other rinks do not have public skating/sticks and pucks. These are things we have desperately been missing since the closure. We are not the only ones.

These other rinks are geared to people who can afford to pay for hockey school in the off season and skate Brandon’s lessons. That isn’t always the case.

We just got a notification from J & G rink for 2 night a week hockey school. Almost $1000 price tag. Sticks/pucks at the sportsplex would cost way less. Isn’t that what having a facility is all about. Affordable services for all? "
Would suggest that with this announcement the recreation department of the City of Brandon first job is to ensure that the recreation such as you mentioned public skates sticks and pucks are offered at the Keystone center rinks ASAP. With tax payers funds helping to ensure the operation of this facility is viable it should ensure that recreation services to the citizen of Brandon be maintained.
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Free time
6/10/2023 at 9:24 PM

Oh Canada said "Would suggest that with this announcement the recreation department of the City of Brandon first job is to ensure that the recreation such as you mentioned public skates sticks and pucks are offered at the Keystone center rinks ASAP. With tax payers funds helping to ensure the operation of this facility is viable it should ensure that recreation services to the citizen of Brandon be maintained. "
I wondered that too. Surely these rinks aren't booked 24/7 and the city could reach an agreement to have sicks and pucks etc at a reasonable price during off times.
Golden2014
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 75

Golden2014
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 75

Also agree
6/11/2023 at 8:40 AM

I wish they would look at adding sticks and pucks at one of the keystone rinks as well. I have 2 boys that play hockey and they do some additional programs however it gets to be extremely expensive. We found the sticks and pucks from spring/summer was great to keep them somewhat involved and just an extra way to keep active. They typically don't do spring sports and this was one of the things they enjoyed but can no longer do. I've tried looking at rinks in surrounding communities but have had no luck finding a sticks and pucks program as alot of them don't have facilities to keep ice from spring to fall.
Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

.
6/11/2023 at 9:44 AM

I used to help make and maintain ice and be on the board of our local small town curling rink. Our rink (as I’m sure many are) is run and staffed entirely by local volunteers and financed solely by donations from individuals and small businesses with a small property tax break from the municipality. When our ice plant failed a few years back we replaced it by fundraising in the community who were generous. That was over $130000 six or seven years ago which is a lot for a small town rink. To install a geothermal system while possible was prohibitively expensive.
If people want these things then the community rather than the local government needs to step up with money, labour and extensive commitment for maintenance and day to day running of facilities and facility users need to learn to respect that commitment.
FWIW when our ice plant for three curling sheets was started ( during the winter) our hydro bill shot up to over $4500 per month (was highest when we were flooding and building the ice). I can’t imagine what the cost would be to run a plant during a Manitoba summer, basically unaffordable. Also there are no cost breaks at the time from Manitoba hydro for running local rinks.
It takes a lot to run a rink and the tax payer alone cannot be expected to shoulder that burden. It must come from the local community and business.
Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

comment
6/11/2023 at 11:18 AM

Farmergeorge said "I used to help make and maintain ice and be on the board of our local small town curling rink. Our rink (as I’m sure many are) is run and staffed entirely by local volunteers and financed solely by donations from individuals and small businesses with a small property tax break from the municipality. When our ice plant failed a few years back we replaced it by fundraising in the community who were generous. That was over $130000 six or seven years ago which is a lot for a small town rink. To install a geothermal system while possible was prohibitively expensive.
If people want these things then the community rather than the local government needs to step up with money, labour and extensive commitment for maintenance and day to day running of facilities and facility users need to learn to respect that commitment.
FWIW when our ice plant for three curling sheets was started ( during the winter) our hydro bill shot up to over $4500 per month (was highest when we were flooding and building the ice). I can’t imagine what the cost would be to run a plant during a Manitoba summer, basically unaffordable. Also there are no cost breaks at the time from Manitoba hydro for running local rinks.
It takes a lot to run a rink and the tax payer alone cannot be expected to shoulder that burden. It must come from the local community and business. "
good information on the cost of running a rink. In the community you are making comments on I would assume they are at least a fifth the size of Brandon. The cost to run a rink in any community would be similar. The city of Brandon receives tax dollars and part of those dollars are to fund recreation opportunities and facilities. They have one rink that they are 100% responsible for in a community of 50,000 and growing . At no time have I heard of the city saying that the only way this rink can stay open or is feasible is with donations and fundraising. With that said they are 100% responsible for the facility and the infrastructure to operate it . If a study was done prior to it failing that said that private donation where needed then we would know what needs to be done.

Would suggest the group that built the j and g rink did it almost 100% on their dime . If that is someone stepping up to support the recreation of a community it is not technically in then I do not know what is. The city doesn't even receive tax dollars for the rink as it is not in the city of Brandon boundaries.
Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

.
6/11/2023 at 1:36 PM

Oh Canada said "good information on the cost of running a rink. In the community you are making comments on I would assume they are at least a fifth the size of Brandon. The cost to run a rink in any community would be similar. The city of Brandon receives tax dollars and part of those dollars are to fund recreation opportunities and facilities. They have one rink that they are 100% responsible for in a community of 50,000 and growing . At no time have I heard of the city saying that the only way this rink can stay open or is feasible is with donations and fundraising. With that said they are 100% responsible for the facility and the infrastructure to operate it . If a study was done prior to it failing that said that private donation where needed then we would know what needs to be done.

Would suggest the group that built the j and g rink did it almost 100% on their dime . If that is someone stepping up to support the recreation of a community it is not technically in then I do not know what is. The city doesn't even receive tax dollars for the rink as it is not in the city of Brandon boundaries. "
Our town has a population under 500 people and receives support from surrounding businesses and farms. Our rinks and agricultural fair building were all built and are run using donated funds and volunteer help and labour. The volunteer pool, essential to running and upkeep is the hardest thing to maintain.
Brandon being the size that it is should easily be able to fundraiser and provide volunteers. The key is whether enough community spirit is present to support these things.
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Volunteers
6/11/2023 at 3:37 PM

Farmergeorge said "Our town has a population under 500 people and receives support from surrounding businesses and farms. Our rinks and agricultural fair building were all built and are run using donated funds and volunteer help and labour. The volunteer pool, essential to running and upkeep is the hardest thing to maintain.
Brandon being the size that it is should easily be able to fundraiser and provide volunteers. The key is whether enough community spirit is present to support these things. "
Volunteerism is a perennial problem, regardless of the group or organization. The irony seems to be is that the larger the centre, the harder it seems to be to rally volunteers? Maybe it has to do with the sense of attachment and expectations for government.

I'm curious now, do the rinks that run year round, do they charge different rates for different seasons due to fluctuations like hydro costs, or does it just get averaged out so it's the same price year round?
Winter123
Joined: This month
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Winter123
Joined: This month
Posts: 848

year round
6/11/2023 at 8:29 PM

I don’t know things for certain but the hockey school we had booked in August that was originally at the sportsplex and was switched to Flynn arena could not go until Aug 14 as there was no ice in at the keystone. So even the other rinks don’t seem to go year round.

The problem too with these facilities is they don’t have staff manning them so who is going to collect money for public skate or sticks pucks.
Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

Oh Canada
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1392

Need to get a plan in place
6/11/2023 at 9:48 PM

RC123 said "I don’t know things for certain but the hockey school we had booked in August that was originally at the sportsplex and was switched to Flynn arena could not go until Aug 14 as there was no ice in at the keystone. So even the other rinks don’t seem to go year round.

The problem too with these facilities is they don’t have staff manning them so who is going to collect money for public skate or sticks pucks. "
The recreation department needs to get a plan in place and coordinate that with the keystone center. The city signed a multi year deal to help fund the keystone with the province , With the sportsplex being not used as a rink it will be saving thousands of dollars in staffing , hydro and supplies . That money should be deverted to one of the rinks at the keystone to have it run the same amount of the year as the sportsplex so the same recreation services are offered to the people of Brandon. For sticks and pucks it would be easy to hire a person to take the money and coordinate it . It would be no different than a team renting the ice and charging to watch the game. Again this should be the recreation department of the city of Brandon coordinating this.

On volunteers the city run facilities would not allow it as the union would be all of them for allowing someone to do a unionized job. I have never yet heard of the keystone looking for volunteers or fundraising to help keep up their services. The issue as well with the keystone is there is some issue with how much money they can have in there bank account as I think they are considered a non profit .
ren008
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 249

ren008
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 249

Absolutely right
6/12/2023 at 8:28 AM

The Sportsplex is a tired old dump, built hastily in the late 70's for the winter games with a major facelift in 1997 but now over 40 years old. It is absolutely pathetic that we have been stuck with it as the sole city owned operated rink and pool in a community of this size and even worse when you see what the surrounding smaller communities have managed to build in recent years. Portage, Dauphin, Swan River, Yorkton, etc... Cities a fraction of our size that have new modern indoor facilities.

It also leaves the COB operating just one ancient outdoor pool that is likely to crap out any time now as well. Once that dies we will have the splash parks I guess...

Tear down the sportsplex, cancel that field complex at Kirkcaldy and 1st (that is already completely waterlogged after one good rain storm, never mind what will happen on flood years) and focus on a new rec complex already.

Edited by ren008, 2023-06-12 08:30:20
PrimeConvoy

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 561

PrimeConvoy
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 561

Sad indeed
6/12/2023 at 9:40 AM

Oh Canada said ""City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services is advising that the Sportsplex Arena ice plant will not be operational for the Summer 2023 and Fall 2023/Winter 2024 hockey and skating seasons."

What does this mean for the City of Brandon? The City of Brandon now does not own or operate a ice rink in the city of Brandon. Just think about that for moment. then think of all the communities around Brandon that do! Very sad! "
What is more sad is that our tax dollars have to go to what we as citizens absolutely need, like clean drinking water, waste removal, fire protection, police protection, public transit, roads to drive on, and....ice to play hockey on.

Edited by PrimeConvoy, 2023-06-12 09:40:56
Winter123
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Winter123
Joined: This month
Posts: 848

maybe ice isn’t important to you
6/12/2023 at 10:15 PM

But for a lot of people it is. There are many city services that are paid for that many will not ever use. I have never set foot on a soccer field in this city - does that mean there shouldn’t be any. Definitely not. There should be recreation for everyone. There are a lot of people who utilize the ice at the sportsplex.