By TERRY PUGH
The long-awaited $15 million expansion of the Warman Home Centre Communiplex (WHCC) is on track to be completed by this summer, and should be in operation by fall.
A report from the city’s department of Recreation and Community Services to the Warman City Council committee of the whole meeting on Monday, March 17 stated much of the interior work is close to completion, and the final concrete pour for the hockey rink is expected to take place before the end of March.
According to the administration report, painting of the main level walls is complete, and ongoing work includes the installation of the second level HVAC system and electrical rough-ins. Interior stairs are slated to be installed this week.
One of the most visible signs that the project is progressing is a second canopied entrance located north of the original main doors.
Construction work on the project began in February, 2024 after city council awarded the contract to Quorex Construction in a competitive bid process that wrapped up in December, 2023.
The two-storey expansion features 2,952 square meters on the main floor, and 880 square meters on the second level. The facility components include a single ice arena, seating for 205 spectators, six change rooms and a second floor lounge space with seating for 150 people. The additional ice surface is aimed at helping meet the demand for ice time for minor hockey, ringette and other user groups. It will also allow the city to host tournaments.
FACILITY NAMING RIGHTS
While construction work continues, there’s still ongoing discussion at the city council table on what the name of the facility will be later this year.
Originally known as the Legends Centre under a 10-year, $100,000 branding agreement between the City of Warman and KH Developments when the facility opened in late 2011, the name was changed to the Warman Home Centre Communiplex two years ago to reflect a revised agreement involving a restructuring of KH Developments and the Warman Home Centre. The new agreement saw Warman Home Centre emerge as the major sponsor in exchange for an annual payment of $50,000.
That naming agreement is set to expire this year. After several months of negotiation, the company offered the city a five-year agreement which would see the company pay $40,000 per year for the first three years, and $50,000 per year for the final two years.
However, that offer didn’t sit well with most city councillors.
At the March 17 city council committee of the whole meeting, several councillors expressed disappointment that the company was offering less than previously; particularly when the facility is being upgraded with a second ice surface.
A week later, during the March 24 regular city council meeting, a letter was received from Warman Home Centre advising council that the company had revised its offer. It was now offering $50,000 per year with a five-year contract term. The proposed contract also contained an exclusivity clause.
At the March 24 meeting, council voted to table the company’s proposed offer, and to bring it forward for discussion and a possible decision at the next council meeting, slated for April 7. In the meantime, the city administration and the company are being asked to provide clarification of the details of the proposed contract.
Council has also not ruled out the possibility of issuing a request for proposals (RFP) on the naming rights for the facility.