The report from the Arena Task Force is recommending a new multi-use sportsd and entertainment centre be built in Charlottetown.
The report, 18 months in the making, says that new facility should have a main spectator seating bowl and ice surface, which. It would have no less than 5-thousand seats. It says the centre should also include a second NHL-size ice surface dedicated for use by the community.
As for location, the report points to the Eastern Gateway lands as being the preferred location. It says that would allow for the Eastlink Centre’s arena and trade centre and new multi-use facility to be managed as a single entity.
It recommends re-designating the Eastlink Centre arena as a dedicated community ice arena. That way it would ensure the City’s existing number of indoor ice surfaces are maintained.
As for other facilities, the report recommends the decommission and demolition of Simmons Sports Centre with planning for other-use of the lands; and re-purposing Cody Banks for dry-use recreational activities.
The report says one of the next steps should be to establish a funding strategy which should be developed with a focus on a public, institutional, and private partnership.
The Task Force has met with stakeholders and toured facilities in other communities in compiling the report.