As representatives from Tisdale’s service clubs, the Chamber of Commerce, the School Board, Town Council, and the Recreation Office sat listening to the preliminary plans for Tisdale’s proposed recreation complex, thoughts of a tropical paradise and the benefits of a new rink flitted through their minds, disturbed only by the $3.7 million cloud on the horizon.
The meeting, held Wednesday evening [Sept. 30, 1987], was set up by the Recreation Board to inform those concerned of the preliminary plans and cost estimate, a task performed by Ken Scherle of Ikoy and E. J. Sebastian of Reid Crowther and Partners Ltd., both of whom have worked on numerous leisure centers in the province.
Scherle began his presentation by stating that his company’s main objective in preparing the plans for Tisdale’s recreation area was to enrich the already successful RECplex.
“The addition will enhance the RECplex complex and will create a first rate leisure center for the community. The pool we've proposed is not the traditional competitive pool. It is a leisure pool for all-like Maui in February. Along with the enriched complex, we have tried to work within a strict budget, taking into account the original capital expenditure and the future operating costs.”
The project is basically divided into two areas: the pool/leisure area, and the additional ice surface.
The proposed pool is a six lane leisure pool, 25 metres long with depths going from three feet to five feet, to 10 feet, with the shallower area dominating the pool; a factor which will allow more people to use the water such as recreation swimmers, children, and senior citizens. Attached to the swimming area is a fun pool of very shallow water for children and non swimmers.
The waterslide would be an incredible drawing card for the pool. With a price tag of approximately $65,000, it is assured that the slide would easily pay for itself and help to financially support the whole leisure area. However , the style and size of slide has not yet been negotiated.
Though Scherle told those present that the CASA (Canadian Amateur Swimming Association) requires a six lane pool for its meets, he strongly advised Tisdale to consider a four lane pool which would have many benefits to a community this size.
Apparently, there would only he a maximum of two CASA swim meets in Tisdale a year. If Tisdale were to build a six lane pool to facilitate this event, it would cost the town an extra $200,000 initial investment with an annual operating cost of approximately $15,000 to upkeep the two extra lanes.
The four lane pool will apparently facilitate more age groups and a wider variety of swimming skills. It will also allow a larger leisure area.
The leisure area (with an abundance of tropical flora) will include change rooms, an exercise room, sauna, swirl pool, lounging area, and a servery. The whole area would face south and be totally encapsulated in glass. It would look out onto a large patio area which would perhaps facilitate a volleyball court. The patio could also be used as an area to rent out to groups for birthday parties, staff parties, etcetera.
This Tisdale dream would have a minimum life expectancy of 25 years, at which time the town would expect more maintenance. The total price tag is $3 million (rink not included). That is approximately $120,000 per year.
Operating costs for one year would amount to approximately $227,000.00 per year, sixty per cent of which would be staffing expense. The good news is that in a survey of leisure centers in communities such as Tisdale, 60 per cent of the operating costs were recovered. The key to cost recovery is the ability to draw people to the facility on a regular basis.
“The more fun things you can provide, the more people would come. People want to e-perience the leisure aspect-the social experience for all ages.”
John McShannock of the Tisdale Town Council estimated that a half hour drive could bring 20,000 people to Tisdale. Scherle and Sebastion suggested that the additional ice surface facilitate the free skating public. It was advised that a more relaxed atmosphere, a good sound system, and other ‘little extras’ would draw more customers who are not interested so much in hockey.
The rink itself will more than likely be identical in structure to the present rink and would be constructed of metal. The walls would be insulated and a cement floor would be installed.
Seating in the area would be minimized. It is hoped that the present ice making plant will work for all three ice surfaces, though one surface will have to be made at a time. The price tag for the rink is $700,000.
It must be made clear that the meeting only addressed immediate and general concerns. It is up to the community of Tisdale to weave together the fine details of the structure.
