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Brian Orser Arena Reconstruction Project

 

PROJECT SUMMARY

Location: Brian Orser Arena (433 Gill Street)

Project Description: 

The Brian Orser Arena project is a substantial renovation and construction project that will update the majority of the facility’s amenities including:  

  • replacement of the ice surface, boards, glass and bleachers;  

  • room additions to enhance the use of space and accessibility of change rooms and community spaces; 

  • replacement of the majority of furniture, fixtures and equipment; 

  • installation of a new air-sourced refrigeration system, under-rink systems and poured concrete rink floor;  

  • re-roofing and insulation of all roof areas;  

  • energy efficient mechanical and electrical features aligning with the City’s Climate Change Action Plan; and 

  • an electrical system upgrade.  

Budget: $330,000 allocated for design and $12,400,000 for reconstruction.

Timeline: The construction project commenced in June 2024.  The City anticipates the facility handover and commissioning will commence in Q4 - 2025.            

  PROJECT UPDATES

  CURRENT STATUS:
  • Facility construction is being undertaken by the General Contractor, W.S. Morgan.
  • City staff have worked to accommodate user groups at Rotary Place during the construction period at Brian Orser Arena.
  • Extensive interior demolition and partial exterior demolition was undertaken to prepare for facility enhancements.
  • All rink boards and bleachers have been removed.
  • Demolition and removal of the concrete rink floor is underway.
  • Extensions to the east and north facade of the building are nearing completion with the addition of new foundations, structural steel, concrete block work and a new concrete floor base.
  • Roof replacement of the flat roof areas are underway and nearing completion.
  • Plumbing layouts have been established throughout the change rooms prior to installing change room walls.
  • New door and door assembles are being installed.
  • Electrical system upgrades have commenced.

   Please click the following link to view the latest CIP Update #4 issued February 14, 2025 for more details.

   Sign up for the mailing list to receive updates on the project directly to your email.  

   For project questions or comments, please email boaproject@orillia.ca

  Brian Orser Arena - New Community Room - Winter 2025

Picture - Brian Orser Arena - Community Room - Winter 2025

 

  ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why does the building need to be renovated? 

At 50 years old, a number of building features are at the end of their useful life and need to be replaced. The renovation will support the extended use of the facility for an additional 20-25 years. 

How much will the project cost? 

$12,400,000 was approved by Orillia City Council as part of the 2024 Capital Budget process to complete the reconstruction. 

How extensive is the renovation? 

The Brian Orser Arena project is a substantial renovation that will require extensive demolition and reconstruction in many facility locations and features. Project details include: 

  • Structural demolition and reinforcement 

  • Existing ice pad removal, including under-pad refrigerant lines removed and potential soil removal/remediation 

  • New sub-slab refrigerant lines and new ice pad 

  • All new board system, bleachers, player benches, penalty boxes, timekeeper’s box and scoreboard  

  • All existing refrigeration system demolished and removed

  • New refrigeration system 

  • Supporting service to move to electrical ice resurfacer 

  • Interior spaces receiving additional floor area, new finishes and accessibility upgrades: multi-purpose room, dressing rooms, washrooms, offices, main entrance. 

  • Insulation and renewal of roof areas and walls.  

  • New high efficiency mechanical equipment in specific areas. 

  • New and/or enhanced building automation system, PA system, sprinkler system, fire safety and security systems.  

  • Electrical system upgrade and new LED lighting throughout.
 When will the project be complete? 
 It is anticipated the facility handover and commissioning will commence in Q4 - 2025.
 Where can I access ice bookings in the meantime? 
Rotary Place arena is available. Community members interested in booking facility spaces and ice times can visit our Bookings webpage.
 How are existing ice times and floor time being accommodated?
Recognizing the temporary closure's impact on user groups, City staff have worked diligently to accommodate ice and floor surface time at Rotary Place through transitioning to 50-minute timeslots and extending operating hours.
I am part of an organization who uses ice time at Brian Orser Arena. Who do I contact for more information about my ice time? 

City staff have been working proactively on creative and strategic rearrangements of the ice and floor permits at Rotary Place to accommodate user groups during the reconstruction period at Brian Orser Arena. 

 

If you are a player/member of one of the City’s ice/floor user groups (Orillia Minor Hockey, Orillia Minor Lacrosse, Orillia Figure Skating etc.), please contact your executive representatives directly for questions regarding your ice or floor time.

I live near Brian Orser Arena, what will the project site look like during construction? What can I expect to see and hear?

The City will work with the general contractor to ensure all health, safety and noise requirements are adhered to at all times. Once construction commences, there will be activity on the site including construction staff, vehicles, equipment, and associated construction noise. 

  BACKGROUND INFORMATION

  1. Please click the following link to view the News Release dated March 8, 2024
  2. Please click the following link to view the CIP Update #1 dated March 8, 2024
  3. Please click the following link to view the CIP Update #2 dated July 10, 2024
  4. Please click the following link to view the CIP Update #3 dated December 6, 2024.

© City of Orillia, 50 Andrew Street South, Suite 300, Orillia, Ontario, L3V 7T5, Tel: (705) 325-1311, Fax: (705) 325-5178, Email: info@orillia.ca

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