Barrie Colts on side with expanded Sadlon Arena

A larger Sadlon Arena would be good and big news for Barrie Colts.

“We are very much in need of expanded facilities,” said Jim Payetta, the Ontario Hockey League team’s co-owner. “As the league has grown, so has the demand for facilities to include things like a gym area for the players, a video replay room, proper medical facilities, player conference area, proper training facilities, etc.

“The expansion would allow us to remain competitive with other arenas in our league that have all of those facilities on-site,” added Payetta, who also looks after the Colts’ business development and marketing.

An expanded Sadlon Arena is at least a step closer, if not quite there yet.

City council approved a motion Monday night that staff report back before completing and submitting a grant application for the Ontario Community Building Fund - Capital Stream to expand the Bayview Drive facility in Barrie's south end.

It would involve a three-storey addition on the north side of the building, including a new grand entrance to the arena with additional multi-purpose/trade show space, ticket booths, concessions, a multi-use sports bar, additional office and retail space, possibly a new home for the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame, additional dressing rooms, player dining and lounge facilities, medical facilities, storage and meeting space, a media lounge and VIP lounge, a new sound system, an upgraded green room along with additional spectator seating to bring its total capacity to about 5,000 people.

The capital cost estimate is between $7 million and $9 million, but those numbers are a year old.

If the expansion happens, Barrie could one day host the Canadian Hockey League’s most important event.

“The expansion would not only allow us to be able to host a Memorial Cup, it would give the city the ability to host many other regional, provincial and national events as well, including curling, figure skating, minor hockey tournaments and other events like concerts and trade shows, conferences, etc.,” Payetta said.

“As well, the new media facilities would give the city the ability to properly host the media for larger provincial and national events that garner lots of media attention,” he added. “The expanded concourse area would be great, too. As you know, when the rink is packed for a game, the concourse area gets very busy and crowded. 

“All in all, it’s a much-needed upgrade."

Coun. Gary Harvey, who is pushing the project, has also said the expansion is necessary so Sadlon Arena can host major national and international events. Lack of seating and event space don’t allow that now.

City staff would work with community stakeholders including but not limited to Tourism Barrie, the Barrie Colts, the Canadian Hockey League, Skate Canada and Curling Canada to ensure that the application meets the requirements of these organizations to host provincial, national and international level competitions.

Harvey has said the grant, funding from Barrie’s municipal accommodation tax and other federal funding could cover the costs, so taxpayers would not be on the hook. Revenue from the tax is split between the City of Barrie and Tourism Barrie.

The arena, formerly known as the Barrie Molson Centre, was state-of-the-art when it opened in December 1995, but no more.

The economic impact from hosting national and international events could also be substantial. Curling Canada events are $6 million to $10 million, Harvey said, the Memorial Cup $16 million to $18 million and Skate Canada $45 million and help the hospitality industry, which has been badly hurt by the pandemic.

If the application is successful, city staff would report back to councillors on financing options and ongoing operational implications for the proposed Sadlon Arena expansion. 

The Ontario Community Building Fund - Capital Stream provides support for the repair, renovation or retrofitting of existing sport and recreation infrastructure to address public health requirements related to COVID-19 and community need. 

A provincial agency, the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s website says more information will be available later in this year.

Harvey has said the grant has an overall budget of $55 million for the submissions and typically grants cover 50 per cent of the capital cost.