The City of Charlottetown is looking into redesigning the site where the Cody Banks Arena is located, and residents had the chance to review some of the options Thursday night.

The city hired a consultant to develop design options for a new Sherwood Sport and Recreation Complex.

The rink is about 60 years old and needs critical repairs to restore it to a good standard. The Sherwood Recreation Hall next to the arena is also quite small and does not meet the programming needs of the area, according to city officials.

One of the many people in attendance at the public meeting was the son of Cody Banks — the arena’s namesake. Jim Banks said the rink means a lot to him, and he’s happy to be reassured by the city that the name will stay the same.

He hopes any changes will also benefit the community.

“Just that a lot of kids can enjoy it for generations to come,” he said.

“We did a lot of growing up there.”

Option 1

The first option for the site is to keep the arena and build a new community centre. It would include a gym, fitness room, and space for programs and meetings.

The existing Recreation Hall could remain standing until the new community centre is complete. It would eventually be demolished to make room for parking.

The cost estimate for the design is $20.4 million.

A report was recently completed on Cody Banks Arena to better understand its condition.

Frank Quinn, manager of Charlottetown’s parks and recreation department, said the results are still being reviewed but have already provided some answers.

“There are aspects of the building that are in poor shape, but the building itself is in good structural shape … If you’re able to do some of the critical repairs required, you could move the building up to fair shape and then move the building up to good shape over the next five to 10 years,” Quinn said.

“The building could be around for 15 to 20 years.”

Option 2

The second design option is to demolish the current arena and community centre and replace them with a completely new facility. It would include an atrium for visitors, a gym and a walking track.

Quinn said the walking track added to the new Simmons Sports Centre in Charlottetown has proven to be very beneficial.

“Our walking track is probably our highest used piece of infrastructure over there and it involves a lot of other demographics as well,” he said. “Especially the older demographic uses the walking track.”

The consulting company noted during the presentation that the rink would need to be demolished before construction begins. The estimated cost is $53.8 million.

Option 3

The final design option would involve making changes in stages.

The first phase would involve building a community centre with a gym and walking track, with the rink replaced later, either down the road or when it reaches the end of its life. The community centre and rink could also be connected.

The current Recreation Hall would eventually be demolished. The approximate cost is $57.2 million.

Banks said all of the plans look great but leans toward the first option since it is the least expensive.

“I think the reality of times right now, we just don’t have that kind of money to spend on it,” he said.

Banks added he’s a little torn on the idea of knocking down Cody Banks Arena, since it’s such a big part of his life, but he understands the city has to do what’s best.

‘I think it’s very exciting’

City officials said the design options will not impact the Sherwood Lawn Bowling Club behind the arena.

Coun. Mitchell Tweel, chair of the public works committee, said the city will do everything it can to preserve and enhance the facility.

Tweel also said the Simmons Sports Centre is the benchmark for any new sports facility in Charlottetown.

“I personally would like to see this standard even raised higher than what we did with the new Simmons complex,” he said. “I think the future is bright here for Sherwood and Parkdale. I think it’s very exciting.”

Residents can review the design options and provide feedback over the next week. The feedback will be included in the consultant’s final master plan to the city.

Quinn said a decision on the direction for the Sherwood Sport and Recreation Centre could be made over the summer months.