Barrie’s Sadlon Arena will have to wait until 2022 to get a new sound system.
During Jan. 19 budget talks, city councillors delayed the $275,000 expenditure at the south-end arena until next year.
“Recognizing we’re not utilizing the Sadlon (Arena) for events at this time… I see this as an opportunity to come in with some creative advertising, marketing… and look at if we can at least get some of the costs covered through other means,” said Coun. Ann-Marie Kungl.
“Some speakers don’t work, some speakers are louder than others,” Coun. Mike McCann said of the sound system at the Bayview Drive facility.
The 22-year-old system needs replacing with a new modern system capable of hosting a variety of events, most notably the Barrie Colts hockey team. If left as is, staff say, the sound system might fail and that would also constitute a breach of services agreed to with the Colts, the building’s major tenant.
“We are contractually obligated to provide a functioning facility that includes a sound system,” said Dawn McAlpine, the city’s general manager of community and corporate services. “We are finding it challenging to obtain parts for it.”
The city’s contract with the Ontario Hockey League team comes up for renewal in mid-2023, with negotiations beginning a year before that, McAlpine said.
Coun. Sergio Morales wanted to push the sound system replacement year back to 2023, so the city didn’t lose any leverage with the Colts while negotiating a new deal.
“We have a functional sound system. Technology evolves and it’s getting harder to replace parts,” he said. “At no point did I hear the sound system is providing an experience that breaches the terms of our contract with the Barrie Colts, so as such I’m not recommending that we breach the contract with Barrie Colts.
“I’m saying that if we’re going to spend a quarter of a million dollars in taxpayers’ dollars for a profit organization, that we align the timing of that expenditure with the renegotiation of said contract that makes them a profitable company," Morales added.
“If we use it as leverage and the Colts put the sound system in, when Mariposa (School of Skating) comes, do they rent it from them?” asked Coun. Robert Thomson.
“I don’t know what kind of contract there would be in the future, in 2023… where the Barrie Colts would agree to pay for that,” Morales said.
“If it wasn’t available…it would certainly limit the functionality of the building and the ability to use it for other events,” McAlpine said.
Morales withdrew his motion.
Deferring the sound system funding until 2022, to allow city staff to explore opportunities to fully or partially cover the costs by other means, was approved. It will be considered for final approval, along with the remainder of the city 2021 operating and capital budget, at the Jan. 25 city council meeting.
“I do think with the (Sadlon Arena) largely idle for at least half the year, probably we could push this until 2022,” said Mayor Jeff Lehman.
Kungl had mentioned fundraising and sponsorship to help raise some of the $275,000 cost of a new sound system.
McAlpine said there are some limitations to that plan.
“Our arrangement with the Colts has them holding the advertising rights for most of the facility, so that does limit any off-setting funding that we would be able to obtain, as any funds raised through advertising or potentially sponsorships would be to the Colts, not the city,” she said.
Coun. Natalie Harris said she thought there was some potential nonetheless.
“I think it’s a great opportunity,” she said. “Who knows what we can put forward… sometimes people do jump at these opportunities.”
