Russell Township's $105M community centre faces backlash from hockey groups
Russell Township's largest-ever infrastructure project, a $105-million community centre with three ice rinks, is drawing criticism from two of its biggest intended user groups.
While the new facility was intended as a long-term solution to the region's growing demand for ice time, the minor hockey association and Junior B hockey team in Embrun say the current design falls short of what was initially presented.
'They're building a community centre, not a competition centre,' said Darrell Bartraw, GM and owner of the Embrun Panthers Junior B team. 'We addressed our needs early on and it would be nice to see those accommodated.'
When the project was first presented, renderings showed a facility with more than 1,100 spectator seats, large dressing rooms and a dedicated junior hockey room. But rising construction costs have forced the township to scale back.
'The original idea and budget were around $85 million, COVID-19 hits and inflation goes crazy,' said Mike Tarnowski, Mayor of the Township of Russell.
'When we submitted the proposal based on the ideas and visions from the community, it came over $100 million… and so we had to make difficult decisions… and so we looked at what were the biggest needs.'
In terms of cuts, the number of dressing rooms was reduced from 18 and 12 each room was made smaller. Each one now also includes a gender-inclusive private space, which the group says takes away from the overall square footage they say is already too small for growing teams.
'It's not being built with the needs of the community in mind,' said Christian Gauthier, vice-president competitive of District Three Minor Hockey Association. 'We need space for youth, for junior and we don't have it.'
The mayor disagrees, saying the changerooms are now about the same size or slightly bigger than Russell's largest existing room and the overall design will meet the needs of all user groups.
'We decided on a layout based on the recommendations that were given by professions that do this for a living, and they told us that we are meeting and exceeding the standards and that we would not have issues,' said Tarnowski.
'There are organizations that have set standards and based on those standards we are exceeding all the standards of the typical requirements for [changerooms].'
The group is asking the township to remove the inclusive space from some of the changerooms to better support the needs of the teams.
'If we're playing a game you're putting two teams in each room. So, this adds let's say 30 kids plus parents,' said Max Lauzon, Embrun Minor Hockey Association president and head coach.
'We want to prevent what is happening here in Embrun where kids are dressing in the lobby. We don't need all 12 rooms to have that small room. If we take a few out, let's say two for each rink, this will help accommodate junior teams our U9 teams.'
Seating capacity has also been cut to just under 500 plus standing room and the dedicated junior room was eliminated entirely.
'We thought that this opportunity could bring a junior hockey, Junior A team into our region and that would have brought in more people in because Junior A is another elite level,' said Lauzon.
As it is, Bartraw says it will be hard to accommodate the Panthers with no coach's room, dedicated storage, warm-up area or training facility.
'Junior hockey is very popular here. It's been here for over 60 years,' said Bartraw. 'So that's a concern that we don't have any of that.'
Despite his concerns, the mayor insists there will be ample space in the new facility.
'It's important to realize that Junior B is a private business and as such we as a municipality have to be very careful what we do in supporting private business,' said Tarnowski. 'Of course we want to support them, but it has to be a give and take.'
The group argues that adjusting the design now could prevent more costly retrofits down the line but say their concerns have largely fallen on deaf ears.
'As a community, we are paying as well for this new complex with our taxes and we want to feel like the township is listening to us,' said Lauzon.
The township has yet to decide the future of the current arenas in Russell and Embrun. Council is expected to make that decision this fall.
The new facility is slated to open in 2026.
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