New Events Center

City Council held a meeting yesterday on the Events Center.

If you missed the meeting and would like to watch it you can download it from the medicine hat website. http://www.city.medicine-hat.ab.ca/City%20Government/Departments/Community%20Development/New%20Event%20Centre%20Planning/index.asp
*Top link on page*

Note there is no audio for the first 30 minutes. So I skipped the beginning.

Key Notes
- They presented a proposal for 5500 seat arena expandable to 6500. It would maintain that "close" atmosphere feel. IT would also have 22 suites located at one end. The score clock could be pulled up if need be. Their would be a restaurant and lounge.

-The total cost they estimate at around 89 million dollars, with a 5% leeway of 94 million Dollars.

-The building would be about 175,00-180,000 square feet which is 3 times the size of the current arena.

They also said that the operating cost of the current arena for next year is about $400,000. The operating cost for the new building would be much lower.(I think they said $175,000 but I cant remember)

- 25 year lifetime expectancy. They also said that if they build it at the arena location there would obviously be flood issues.

On November 16th council is expected to go over funding options.
They also said that city council is expected to vote on the project on january 4th, 2010