By Rosalind Russell – The reopening of the Rogers Arena will be postponed due to several factors including a delay in electrical upgrades, and the condition of the soil that the facility is built on.
Elliot Lake council held a special meeting last night recommending that the reopening of the Rogers Arena be postponed indefinitely and a new target goal for the reopening be set for the 2025-2026 season.
Special Projects Manager Bill Goulding says structural repairs at the arena have included a focus on the arena’s foundation system, particularly the existing geotechnical site conditions, and the footings that support the structure.
Consultant Dr. Tingley from WRD, says the concrete for the footings was poorly mixed, but he says the micro-piles will work, it just depends how deep and how many will be needed.
He is recommending after Christmas boring a test hole 65 feet down to test the tension and ensure there is support for the footings.
He explains the arena was built on what is called disturbed soil, debris that was brought in, with the bedrock being some 85 feet down emphasizing the foundation must meet codes.
He says the challenge right now is confirming the depth at which the piles need to be installed to be effective.
Goulding adds they also have electrical work, new panels and lighting approved by Hydro One, which will be installed in February.
Shoring is also underway to ensure that the building can take heavy snow loads since that also affects how the footings support the building.
In the end, the council agreed to the motion and is cautiously optimistic that based on a timeline submitted by Goulding the reopening could take place in late summer of next year.
Of note, earlier in the day, two local companies, Wendell Farquhar Trucking and Beamish Construction Inc. each made $50,000 matching donations for a total of $100,000 to the City of Elliot Lake to assist with the repairs of the Rogers Arena.
Photo: 1. Dr. Trigley, with WRD, took time last night to detail the structural and sub-soil problems of the Rogers Arena (formerly the Centennial Arena) in Elliot Lake. He joined the city’s Special Projects Manager Bill Goulding in explaining the deficiencies and challenges the city is facing in bringing the facility up to code. Screenshot by Rosalind Russell
2. Wendell Farquhar Trucking and Beamish Construction Inc. each made $50,000 matching donations for a total of $100,000 to the City of Elliot Lake to assist with the repairs of the Rogers Arena. The presentation took place yesterday (Wednesday, December 18) morning. Photos provided by the City of Elliot Lake.
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