Queen’s Park will be looking a little different in the years ahead thanks to the unexpected collapse of the Arenex.
An engineering firm concluded that a number of factors acted “in an unfortunate combination” that resulted in the collapse of the Arenex roof in Dec. 19, 2016. The collapse, which came after several weeks of heavy snow and rain, required the 68-year-old building to be demolished as it wasn’t structurally sound.
The second busiest recreational facility in the city, the Arenex was home to city-run programs including gymnastics and trampoline, ball hockey, volleyball, basketball, badminton and a toddler drop-in program. The 1938 building was also home to the Shasta Trampoline Club, the Sapperton Fish and Game Club and the Queensborough Boxing Club.
“While the loss of the Arenex has been very unfortunate for the community and the thousands of individuals and families who have used this facility each year, this situation has given the city the opportunity to think very creatively about Arenex programs and services – not only gymnastics and trampoline but also other gymnasium sports,” said Dean Gibson, director of parks and recreation. “While not offered to the same scale as enjoyed at the Arenex, many of the key programs have been relocated on a temporary basis to other venues across the city over the past several months and will continue in this manner into 2018.”
Gibson said the city is particularly appreciative of many of the New West schools and parent advisory councils that have invited parks and recreation to bring the gymnastics and trampoline program into their facilities. He said the city looks forward to using the facilities at the Royal City Curling Club next spring and summer, as there will be a full schedule of gymnastics and trampoline, including Motoring Munchkins playtime.
One year after the roof’s collapse, a number of plans are underway related to the Arenex and its site in Queen’s Park.
With the Arenex gone, the City of New Westminster plans to provide a new 24,000-square-foot multi-sport facility in a “bubble” similar to Poirier Forum in Coquitlam on the tennis courts closest to the stadium in Queen’s Park. The new venue, which is larger than the 10,000-square-foot Arenex, will provide space for gymnastics and trampoline programs, ball hockey, indoor soccer, volleyball, badminton, basketball, pickleball and other activities.
Gibson said the city has retained a project management firm (Binne Consulting) to assist staff with moving this project forward. The city has completed a pre-qualification process for design-build firms who have an interest in submitting a proposal to deliver this project and has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for design-build services in November.
“This RFP is expected to close in the first week of January, and assuming there is a proposal that meets the city’s requirements, we anticipate site preparation and construction to start shortly after project award,” Gibson said in an email to the Record. “It is our goal to be operational in the new facility in the fall of 2018. A more detailed schedule will be known once a final contract is awarded.”
New Westminster city council has also given in-principle support to a plan to relocate the Mercer Stadium skate park to the former Arenex site in Queen’s Park. City staff has met with stakeholder groups and will conduct broader community consultation in January.
Gibson said the city’s goal is to start construction of the skate park in 2018, but it’s premature to speculate on a specific construction date at this time.
There’s no place like home
The 513 Hornet Squadron is thrilled to be back in its Queen’s Park home after being displaced last winter after the Arenex roof collapsed.
When the roof of the Arenex collapsed on Dec. 19, 2016, the air cadet squadron was forced to relocate out of its longtime home. The squadron owns a building located between the Arenex and the Bernie Legge Theatre.
“When the Arenex came down, it actually took out part of our roof and part of the side of the wall. As a result of the collapse, the debris that fell actually blocked off a drain, and then the snow melt and the water from the actual collapse of the Arenex came down and flooded the basement,” said Marta Sattler, secretary with 513 Hornet Squadron. “We had actual structural damage done, and then as a result of the extra water and snowmelt there was damage to the basement as well.”
When its building was off limits, the 513 Hornet Squadron rented space in the Justice Institute of British Columbia so cadets could complete their training year.
“Our squadron started back on Sept. 13. That was the first night the cadets started up. It’s wonderful. It’s like being back home,” Sattler said. “As the saying goes, there’s no place like home.”
Now that they’re back at their home in Queen’s Park, about 60 cadets aged 12 to 18 are once again doing parades and taking various classes so they can move up the levels. The squadron is still on the hunt for an indoor space for its Wednesday night parades, which used to take place in the Arenex and are done outdoors at the tennis courts in good weather.
– By Theresa McManus
