Presentation to Arenas, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Robert Lockhart The RETHINK GROUP September 17, 2013
2011 population: 78,700 (increase of 4.4% since 2006 or 0.88%/yr.). Between 2001 & 2011: The 5-19 age group declined by 9.7% (-1,345). The 20-44 age group increased by 1,265, but declined slightly in percentage (33.1 to 31.7). The entire Echo Generation has now aged out of their minor sports years & into young adults.
Population growth should be in the following range (depending on rate of growth - 0.75% to 1.5% per year): 2031: 90-103,000 2036: 93-109,000 Current information suggests that over the next 20-25 years, the proportion of the population comprised of children & youth (5-19), and young & mid-age adults (20-44) should remain similar to the current make-up. If so, the principles markets for arena use may have stabilized and increases in demand should be in proportion to growth in the population (if per capita demand remains constant).
Fall-winter season prime time is utilized at 89%, along with 28% of non-prime time. (based on 2013/14 weekly allocation). Prime time utilization ranges from 80% (Northcrest) to 96% (PMC). Non-prime time utilization ranges from 17% (KCC - PGHA Pad) to 53% (EC - IGA Pad). Prime time accounts for at least five more hrs./wk. in Peterborough than is typical. If prime time was 67 hrs./wk., utilization would average 93% (86%-96%).
Top users of prime ice time are: PHA, PGHA/Ice Kats, men s hockey, post-secondary schools, the Pete s & figure skating/synchro. Summer season use is well above average (types of uses & amount) - all but Northcrest. 11 major tenants, 21 major user groups & 100 regular & individual user groups 81,000 customers at special events, concerts & trade shows (2012/13)
362 responses (74% were age 30-49; 81% were City residents) Top Arena Uses: ice hockey, lacrosse, trade shows, public skating & concerts. Location: no preference (33%), north (26%), west (18%), central (15%), south (4.3%), east (3.3%) Strong support for the next facility being multi-purpose, including a mix of indoor and outdoor facilities on the same site (e.g., aquatic centre, gymnasium, fitness facilities, field house, library, multi-purpose spaces, socializing spaces, medical services, older adult centre, food services, sports fields). The complex should be phased to meet demand as required on a large and accessible site.
There were consistent suggestions for what to include in a new community-scale arena facility (suggesting from User Group Forum included) at least a twin-pad with at least one international-size ice surface & a figure skating/recreational skating pad with no boards a goalie-only training area (20 x 30 caged surface) six adequate & secure dressing rooms per ice surface (with stick holder, white boards) adequate lobby with food court, social space, display/information boards, & water bottle refill station comfortable, warm seating for 300 per ice surface with seating on same side as dressing rooms + a warm area for viewing off-ice training facility (fitness room, running/walking track, medical clinics) offices & storage for major user groups program/activity/party rooms & meeting rooms wide hallways & automatic sliding doors bright & airy lots of windows adequate sound system & score board AC to encourage increased summer non-ice uses pro shop a green building
Over time, consolidate major recreation facilities (incl. library) on fewer sites; therefore, decommission some facilities and repurpose those sites for other uses. Renovation investments in the Memorial Centre and the Kinsmen Civic Centre were questioned by many. Although many shortcomings were identified & there were many suggests for improvement - there was little support for additional major investment in these older facilities. There were numerous suggestions to expand the Evinrude Centre and the Kinsmen Civic Centre.
There were many questions and complaints about the design of the Evinrude Centre, and many suggestions for improvement. Respondents often asked why other, often smaller communities have better facilities than Peterborough especially arenas, aquatic facilities & multi-facility complexes. Examples: Cobourg, Ennismore, Apsley, Lindsay, Clarington, Belleville, Quinte West, Whitby, Ajax, Oshawa, Barrie, Newmarket Magna Centre, Burlington, Etobicoke Iceland, Stouffville, RIM Park in Waterloo, Bracebridge, Owen Sound & Kingston
Largest ice user groups: PHA (1,722), Canadian Hockey Enterprises (1,213), Recreation Division programs (780), PGHA/Peterborough Ice Kats (600), Overtime Hockey (488), Trent U (420), SSFC (350), PSHA (250), Peterborough Recreational Oldtimers Hockey League (209), and Adult Synchronized Skating (194) about 100 groups using the City s arenas. So far, groups are requesting (from the User Group Surveys): 82-112 additional PT hrs./wk. for existing skating programs 32-57 PT hrs./wk. for new skating programs additional time for tournaments, special events & concerts year-round lacrosse, roller derby, roller skating, ball hockey & soccer For City arenas, one ice surface accommodates 67-72 prime time hrs./wk. (depending on definition of PT & actual use patterns).
Some of the additional time requested for existing ice programs is already being rented in area arenas (at least 47.5 of PT hours/wk.). Most, if not all of this time would likely be subtracted from requests from Peterborough-based groups. The following groups indicated significant potential for growth: adult synchronized skating, PSHA (N-PT), Kawartha Komets, PIHL, Thursday Night Summer Hockey, Overtime Hockey, SSFC, and Trent U. (especially if new arena is on campus)
Contacted 11 arenas (8 have responded so far). Use by Peterborough groups varies from 0-25.5 prime time hrs./wk. (total hours rented so far: 47.5 hrs./wk.) mostly at Douro & Warsaw (38.5 hrs.). Prime time utilization varies from 60-95% - although for some rinks, defined prime time is below what is typical. Most of the requests from City-based groups are for prime early weekday evening hours - therefore, there is not much excess capacity within the hours that most groups want.
CURRENT 1. Requests for 80-170 hrs. of prime ice time/week (TBC). 2. 47.5+ hrs. of prime ice time rented in area arenas (3 to report). 3. Requests for 60-120 hrs. of non-prime ice time/week (TBC). 4. Requests for additional time for hockey tournaments & ice shows (beyond the weekly schedule) (120-150 hrs./season or equivalent of 4-8 hrs./wk.) 5. Needs of emerging ice-related groups/uses (e.g., special needs hockey) + unknown demand for additional public skating time. 6. Significant expressed interest in a year-round field house-type facility (or non-ice arena) for lacrosse, flat track roller derby, roller skating, ball hockey, soccer, trade shows, large social events & concerts (on both carpet & concrete). FUTURE: Projected Increase in the Age 5-44 Population By 2031, that market could increase 14-30% By 2036, that market could increase 15-34%
Finalize the collection of information and analyze the research results (including additional information on use of City arenas, getting more info. from area municipalities & meeting with the arena user groups requesting the most PT hours). Determine the current need for ice surfaces (Peterborough & regionally). Establish a sustainable provision level for the City & calculate the number of ice surfaces required to meet current requirements a base line.
Calculate the number of ice surfaces required over the next 20 years (based on the recommended provision level and projected population growth). Determine the preferred provision strategy (including: any further upgrades to existing arenas, the future of the remaining arena facilities, if there are any other types of facilities that should be packaged up with new or existing arenas, potential partners, site requirements and location possibilities).
Project Committee (Oct. 25) to discuss: Number of ice surfaces required to meet current needs Recommend provision/service level Project long-term arena needs Discuss/determine what other types of facilities to consider with new arenas Develop long-term arena provision strategy (including what to do with existing arenas) Community Forum (present & discuss findings, conclusions & emerging recommendations) November 13 APRAC (third meeting) November 19? City Council Presentation
Questions