Redevelopment plans for Oakville Arena and Trafalgar Park move forward to Council

Thu, 28 Jan 2016

Administrative Services Committee accepts recommendation to proceed with first phase of design and construction

Plans to redevelop Oakville Arena and Trafalgar Park are moving forward and will go before Council for approval on Monday, February 1, 2016.

Earlier this week the Administrative Services Committee accepted a staff recommendation to proceed with the first phase of design and construction. With Council approval, the town will sign a letter of intent with an architectural consultant, Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc. and general contractor, Graham Construction and Engineering.

“Residents are extremely passionate about the redevelopment plans for the Oakville Arena,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “It’s exciting to see this project move forward to Council, bringing us closer to revitalizing and expanding the facility for future generations to enjoy.”

The Oakville Arena located at 133 Rebecca Street was originally built in 1950 and has served as a community hub for more than six decades. It’s also one of only four remaining arenas in Ontario with a distinctive wooden truss roof system designed by Norman Otto Hipel, an Ontario politician and builder who patented the roof system in 1928.

The preliminary design concept includes retaining the heritage wooden trusses, an NHL-size ice surface; seating for 450 people; a walking track; a new seniors’ centre; administrative offices; a gymnasium; and a new Kinsmen Pine Room for public meetings and events.  A new fire hall will also be built on the corner of Kerr Street and Rebecca Street. The total project budget including the fire hall is $36.7 million.

For the first time the town will use an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) approach to design and construction rather than the traditional design-bid-build method.  The town will enter into a three-party agreement with the architect and the general contractor at the outset of the project. The traditional approach is to first enter into a contract with the architect followed by a separate contract with the general contractor after the design is complete.  By bringing together everyone in the early stages of the project, IPD offers a more collaborative approach that results in a more reliable schedule and budget.

Construction on the Oakville Arena is expected to begin in early 2017.