Construction on the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre at the Big Marble Go Centre is underway. (Bob Schneider/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

Big Marble Go Centre renovations on target, arena opens ahead of schedule

Jun 13, 2024 | 5:33 PM

The renovations at the Big Marble Go Centre are going smoothly, according to City of Medicine Hat officials.

Work on the $100,000 ice plant rebuild at the arena that began in mid-April was completed well ahead of the expected July completion date.

William Percy, the city’s superintendant of recreation facility operations, said Thursday the contractors did a great job.

“Everything went according to plan and it was actually managed to get done a few weeks ahead of schedule,” Percy said.

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“We were able to open up that facility back to the public on June 3.”

William Percy, superintendent of recreation facilities operations, City of Medicine Hat said he’s confident the work will be completed inline with the initial timelines. (Bob Schneider/CHAT News)

The opening of the ice at the Big Marble Go Centre, allowed for the ice at the Hockey Hounds Rec Centre to be taken out.

The Kinsmen Aquatic Centre was shut down in mid-May for $2.8 million in renovations.

Mike Hirsch, project manager, City of Medicine Hat said that the majority of the work at the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre is still about a month away.

Project manager Mike Hirsch said things are right on target at this point.

“We’re looking at reviewing all the shop drawings, equipment, delivery product, all at this point,” Hirsch said.

“A lot of the construction is getting started, but the majority of it is going to come in a month or so.”

The renovations will increase safety for the maintenance staff to access necessary areas.

Percy said that this is a critical project for extending the life of the facility.

“We won’t see too much cosmetically in terms of new slides other than we will see improvements to the steam room,” Percy said.

“Behind the scenes, a lot of the work that’s being done to the filtration system, the ozone, that will extend the life of the building, hopefully to give us another 10, 20, 30 years duration,” he added.

“It’s a really important project.”

According to Hirsch, construction on the steam room is underway, as they are able to complete some demolition there and in other areas.

“We’re revamping the steam room from the walls out, so that will be improved upon,” Hirsch said.

“We’ve started the ozone which is part of the filtering system. Looking through the surge tank gaining access in there, putting up temporary platforms so they can work.”

Percy adds that safety is a top priority with the project.

“The contractors have been working diligently to perform their work in a safe and organized manner,” Percy said.

“We’re confident that it will be completed in line with our initial timelines.”

That initial timeline has the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre opening up in the middle of September, but if renovations go smoothly that could be as early as late August.