Council approves expansion of Cambridge Sports Park

Posted on Wednesday June 09, 2021

During a Council meeting last evening, City Council directed staff to finalize a partnership agreement with Buckingham Sports Properties to expand and modernize the Cambridge Sports Park Facility.

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

Staff have had ongoing discussions with Buckingham Sports about upgrading the existing twin ice pads and expanding to a four-pad facility.

Under the proposed terms and conditions, 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 a significant opportunity and provides a cost-effective and timely solution for providing sustainable sports and recreation options to support our athletes and our community,” said Deputy Mayor Mike Mann. “This facility will allow for large events and tournaments, and as the location is close to Hespeler Road and Highway 401, it will no doubt create positive economic spinoffs for Cambridge businesses.”

The partnership is consistent with the City’s strategic goals related to creating significant places and experiences for residents, encouraging activity and well-being, promoting economic development, and contributing to sport and recreational opportunities.

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

“This will be a state-of-the-art community facility with two new NHL sized ice rinks,” said Buckingham Sports Properties Vice President John Cook . “It will be a modern, open concept facility - very family friendly and welcoming to visitors with various community amenities, such as a renovated restaurant and snack bar.

It is anticipated that the expanded Cambridge Sports Park could open as early as the 2023-2024 ice season.

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Project Details

  • 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

Ice Time Agreement

  • Under the proposed 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 a subsidized rate (to be approved by Council each year).
  • The City will also be able to book additional ice time to host tournaments.

Background Materials

 

Media Contacts

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

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