By STEPHAN BURNETT, Weyburn Review Editor
A structural assessment of the Colosseum has been undertaken by architects from Regina for the City of Weyburn and their recommendations call for extensive renovations to be made to the sports complex although some within Council are wondering if it would be wiser to build a new rink.
Architect Ken Scherle's report entitled, Building Evaluation, Weyburn Colosseum and Sports Arena, was made public at City Council's regularly scheduled meeting on Monday night after providing the media a sneak peek at a press conference held last Thursday. After evaluating the structural state of the Colosseum, Scherle recommended renovations of priority importance which will cost Weyburn taxpayers $1.16 million. The architect adds items of secondary renovation importance will cost the taxpayers another $921,000. In total, the architect's recommended renovations amount to $2.08 million.
Councillor Ray Hamm, chairman of the facilities committee, says there is another possible option - the possibility of building a whole new Colosseum - which would probably cost the taxpayers approximately $4.5 to $5 million.
Hamm is quick to add, currently, nothing has been decided.
What will happen now, says Hamm, is the proposal will be taken to interested Colosseum user groups. From there, a public meeting, or perhaps a series of public meetings may be held and after that, a final decision will be made. Hamm expects the whole process may take approximately six months to complete with a final decision probably being arrived at in July or August of this year.
Hamm questioned whether it would be wise to renovate if the decision is made by the taxpayers to build a new Colosseum. But Hamm also wonders whether patch-quilting the Colosseum will be wise if the renovation route is chosen.
Hamm says architect Scherle could not exactly specify how much it would cost to build a new Colosseum because the City is unsure what user groups and the public would expect from a new facility. At the same time, Hamm said it would not make sense to build a new facility if it was not being used to capacity.
Scherle's first item priority list includes a $335,000 expenditure for heating and ventilation upgrades to the Colosseum, a $250,000 expenditure to replace the Colosseum's concrete slab and complete understructure with a drain system, another priority one expenditure is $220,000 for a fire-sprinkler system. Amongst other items, the first priority renovation items for the Colosseum amount to $1.16 million.
On the architect's secondary list of importance within the Colosseum's building evaluation, a $400,000 expenditure is expected to replace the south-side change rooms and washroom, new arena seating is expected to round out at close to $200,000, and non-mandatory electrical items are expected to cost $90,000. These and other items on the list as secondary-priority-renovation items total out at $921,000.
City Council is looking for input from the public on which direction to take with the future course of the Colosseum. Hamm adds a cost-analysis breakdown can not be arranged until the public provides its input. Only after hearing from the public will City Council be able to report back to taxpayers whether renovating the Colosseum or replacing it entirely will provide more long-term value to the taxpayers' dollar. Anyone interested in picking up a copy of the report can do so at City Hall.
At the City Council meeting on Monday night, Mayor Don Schlosser provided a few more forecasts for the City of Weyburn in 1999 and 2000. Schlosser says if Weyburn does not require borrowing from external sources, the city will be debt free by the year 2000.
Schlosser added the City will vigourously solicit the Prairie Pasta Producers toward setting up shop in Weyburn.
"Not only will this business have the potential of creating approximately 100 direct jobs, but with the construction of the $80 million plant, there will be significant dollars injected into our community. As the project will be farmer owned, it is our hope that the farmers in this area as well as in the southern part of the province and northern North Dakota will benefit by getting better prices for their durum through value-added processing. At present, we have no commitment from the Group, but I can honestly say we will be actively pursuing this venture on behalf of Weyburn."
Mayor Schlosser adds other highlights of 1998 were:
"Housing starts were up, although single-family dwellings were less, multi-family dwelling units increased, for a total of 86 dwelling units constructed in 1998. The construction on the new Firehall-Workshop is expected to be complete early this year. Construction has been undertaken at Hill Top Manor a 40-bed personal care facility, a 32-unit motel building has been constructed at El Rancho, a playroom has been added at the McDonald's Restaurant and there have been renovations at the Liquor Board Store. The creation of a dental clinic, the addition of 12 units to Parkway Lodge, the opening of Fieldstone Estates Individual Condominium Housing Project on Fifth Avenue North East and the construction of the 12-unit condominium project on Fifth Street and Coteau. Just to name a few, for a total of 113 permits issued for a total construction value of $11 million," said Schlosser.
Although Schlosser reports council is fighting for a zero per cent increase in taxes, at the same time, council approved preliminary mill rates which could see taxpayers paying approximately one per cent more on their taxes in 1999.
Councillor Debbie Button reports there has been little change in the vacancy rate for the Weyburn Oil Show. She adds, four principal sponsors have committed to the project including PanCanadian Petroleum Ltd., SaskPower, Wascana Energy, SaskEnergy and TransGas. "The hotels are booked and we're starting to take some reservations in Estevan," said Button, adding federal Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale has been invited to speak. Button also reports the Library Board has raised $1,304.62 in its initial foray into raising money required for the building of a new library.
Councillor Nedelcov reported the Tourism Committee met on Jan. 5 at the Signal Hill Theatre. Nedelcov says the Tourism Committee plans to run a photo contests. Photos could depict the four seasons, special events as well as landscapes from oil. A grand prize of $1,000 may be issued to the winner although the specifics of the contest are yet to be announced. Nedelcov also says museum visits in Weyburn were up dramatically from the previous year. In 1998 there were approximately 4,270 visitors at the museum up from approximately 1,300 visitors in 1997. Nedelcov also reported the Weyburn Wheat Festival hopes to purchase an outdoor oven.
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