The Moose Jaw Events Centre wants $1,483,000 for six capital projects next year, compared to this year’s request of $802,039 for four projects.
Dean Clarke, regional vice-president of OVG360, presented the proposals during council’s Dec. 11 budget meeting. Council later voted to table the requests for future discussion.
Presented below is a summary of the capital projects that the venue wants to pursue in 2024.
Software upgrades
The building automation system that controls the HVAC and mechanical equipment is original from 2010, and with two failing controllers, the venue needs a full upgrade to current generation hardware and software for better efficiency and control, a budget report said.
The project includes a full upgrade to the HTML5-based Metasys User Interface.
Heating coil
A glycol leak in September was traced to the Zamboni ice melting pit, forcing staff to dump snow/ice outside and in the pit, the report said. The coil is original and made of mid-grade steel that is heavily rusted and pitted, which means there is a high risk another leak could occur if welding repairs were attempted.
The new coil would be made of stainless steel and should have a longer lifespan.
Sound system
Phase 2 of the sound system upgrades will focus on the conference centre, curling centre and all the corridors, the report said. The venue wants to use Sapphire Sound as the sole source contractor again to finish the project since it installed the original equipment.
LED lighting retrofit
The lighting retrofit has occurred during the past two years, with next year’s upgrades to include the replacement of 36 fixtures in the conference room and 19 fixtures and six ceiling fans on the grand staircase, which should lead to savings in electricity usage and better energy efficiencies, the report said.
Structural beam coating
The original fire coating on some structural beams has broken off or been damaged, while the coating is a building code requirement to ensure public safety and asset preservation, said the report.
An interior beam near the east side entrance doors and four beams near the box office lobby area require new coating, while a fireproofing product is needed on maintenance beams in the back, dressing rooms and main floor hallway.
Exterior work under the west exterior stair sections will be extensive since a reactive fire barrier coating is required, while major sandblasting of existing fireproof materials and prepping of existing beams must occur.
“There are concerns that the metal is showing some signs of decay and delamination,” the report said, noting a structural engineer may have to investigate to ensure the beams still maintain their integrity before contractors apply the fire coating.
“If the structural assessment comes back not favourable, a further request for capital will be required,” the document added.
Rigging steel
The Multiplex was designed to have rigging steel, but it was cut to save money, while it is one of the last centres in Saskatchewan and Western Canada without this equipment, the report said.
Proper rigging would ensure a show can be set up within two to four hours and torn down within 1.5 to three hours, the report said. Without the steel, it takes six to eight hours to set up, while the venue must rent multiple 80-foot boom lifts to support shows.
It costs about $2,500 per boom lift over two days. On average, a show needs three boom lifts, which equals $7,500 per show or $60,000 per year with an average of eight shows.
The report added that installing the steel could take 14 weeks.
While the Events Centre wants $1 million next year for the steel, the total cost to install it would be $1.59 million.
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