Council approves agreement with Buckingham Sports Properties to expand Cambridge Sports Park

Posted on Thursday January 06, 2022

Plans include improvements to the existing twin pad facility and the addition of 2 new NHL sized ice pads                                                              


Tonight, Cambridge City Council approved an agreement between Buckingham Sports Properties and the City which will enable the expansion of the Cambridge Sports Park to move forward.

Cambridge Sports Park is a centrally-located, multi-sports facility, owned and operated by Buckingham Sports Properties on City-owned lands on Franklin Blvd. It currently includes a twin-pad arena, four beach volley ball courts, and three baseball diamonds.

This agreement will facilitate the construction of a four-pad community rink facility and the purchase of prime, non-prime and summer ice time at the expanded facility.

In June of 2021, City Council directed staff to finalize a partnership agreement with Buckingham Sports to expand and modernize the Cambridge Sports Park facility. Staff have had ongoing discussions with Buckingham Sports about upgrading the existing twin ice pads and expanding to a four-pad facility.

Early in the process, staff met with Cambridge Minor Hockey Association and other stakeholders to understand future ice needs in the community. The construction of this expanded facility, along with the expansion of the Preston Memorial Auditorium, will result in a total of nine ice pads. 

Under the terms and conditions of the agreement, Buckingham Sports will fully fund the capital, operating and ongoing maintenance costs of this project. The City will be able to purchase guaranteed ice time to serve the needs of residents and sports and recreation groups.

“This is yet another step toward offering further sport, recreation and sport tourism opportunities in our growing city,” said Mayor Kathryn McGarry. “With a great location and the capacity for events and tournaments, it’s one more way we are investing in our future, providing opportunities for our athletes and building community.”

This initiative is part of a larger recreation strategy to create improved recreation options for the community and to revitalize existing facilities across the City of Cambridge. This includes the new recreation complex in southeast Galt and the expansion of the Preston Memorial Auditorium.

“We are excited to help bring this expanded state-of-the-art community facility with two new NHL sized ice rinks to the community,” said Buckingham Sports Vice President John Cook. “This modern, family friendly facility with various community amenities, such as a renovated restaurant and snack bar, will welcome residents and visitors to Cambridge for many years to come.”

Today’s agreement is an important milestone for the expansion of this multi-sports facility. It is anticipated that the expanded Cambridge Sports Park could open as early as the 2023-2024 ice season. For more details, please see the Council report.

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Ice Time Agreement

  • Under the agreement, the City will have 2,800 hours of ice time (2,400 hours during prime time and 400 hours during non-prime and summer) on two new ice pads for 25 years at an established rate.
  • The City will allocate this ice time to ice users at city rates (to be approved by Council each year).
  • The City will also be able to book additional ice time to host tournaments.


Cambridge Sports Park amenities will include:

  • Improvements to the existing twin pad
  • Two new NHL sized ice rinks
  • Twelve large dressing rooms
  • Accessible shower and washrooms facilities
  • Two referee rooms
  • Spectator seating of a minimum 400 seats on one new pad and up to 300 seats on a second new pad
  • Spectator seating of 100 seats each on existing ice pads.
  • 2,000 square feet of secured, accessible, ventilated climate-controlled storage and office space for the City and sports user groups.
  • Design will accommodate sledge hockey on one ice pad.
  • Restaurant will be renovated with a new snack bar and community meeting rooms.
  • Pro shop with skate sharpening
  • Media room with sound for figure skaters
  • Heated lobby heated
  • Fully accessible


Background Information

 

Media Contacts

Susanne Hiller
Director of Communications
City of Cambridge
hillers@cambridge.ca

John Cook
Vice President
Buckingham Sports Properties Co.
cookj@buckinghamsports.ca