Newmarket is inviting you to have your say on the new outdoor rink and community space coming to the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex.
The town announced March 10 that it would host a virtual presentation and consultation March 24. The rink, endorsed by council in February 2021, will be an NHL-sized outdoor facility to add to the municipality’s outdoor recreation offerings.
The vision is to create a four-season venue for community activities, with "unstructured recreation" such as shinny hockey and public skating during the winter, with the large space accommodating a variety of programming throughout the year.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said the pandemic has highlighted the need for facilities like this one.
“I’m a big believer that our mental and physical health are connected,” Taylor said in a news release. “These past two years have shown us the importance of getting outdoors, the value of social interaction and the benefit of movement.”
Newmarket had eyed the Mulock Park as a location for the rink, part of the town’s 10-year recreation playbook created in 2015. But when consultation indicated the rink would require “excessive tree removal," Newmarket switched to the Ray Twinney complex instead.
The town put out an request for proposals for architectural services for the project last year. PLANT Architect Inc. and public engagement consultant PROCESS — also hired for the Mulock Park planning — have been working on the design since November.
“Town staff and consultants have conducted a preliminary review of the RTRC property to identify and vet potential sites within the property,” the town said. “These sites have been evaluated for program benefits, environmental impact, esthetics, potential cost, and with consideration to the surrounding properties.”
PLANT will present March 24 about the proposed site and the vision for the project, seeking public feedback. After that, the town will do a detailed design phase that will include costing, with another public meeting expected to show the final design in late summer or early fall.
Newmarket aims to get council approval for tendering in early 2023, with construction starting that spring to have it ready for resident use by early 2024.
The community has raised approximately $400,000 toward the project. The town said the project will be “responsibly financed through a variety of streams, including grants, fundraising/donations and development charges.”
In response to a question on a preliminary budget figure, the town said it is still too early for a dollar number.
"We are working with our consultants to come up with creative options," the town said. "We need to work through these options to establish what elements we need in the facility to best serve the community, and ensure the space has flexibility to be used year-round. Once these needs are determined, a preliminary budget will go to council for approval. This is expected in late summer or early fall."
The town said funding sources could come from development charges and the new community benefit charge.
“The outdoor rink and community space project will give our residents another great hub to connect and get active,” Taylor said.
The virtual session will take place March 24 at 7 p.m. You can register and get more information at heynewmarket.ca/outdoor-rink.
