Small rink could be open by early January
By Chris Simon

Innisfil Recreation Centre supervisor Mel Milanovic stands above the small ice rink at the complex last week. The small rink is expected to be open by early January.

The small rink at the Innisfil Recreation Centre could be completed by early January, said the site's supervisor last week.

With the large rink already open to the public, construction crews are preparing to pour concrete for the main walkway of the complex, and installing boards in the small ice rink at the recreation centre, said supervisor Mel Milanovic.

"We're hoping early January," he said, starring across the ice at the completed large rink. "In the lobby, we're looking at pouring the floor pretty soon; that would help expedite the use of the other pad. It'll give us exits (for the other rink) and help us utilize some of the other change rooms. We've been working on a pretty tight timeline."

The first phase of the project - which includes the arena portion of the complex - was originally scheduled to open in August, with the remaining section planned for completion in November.

But a Roofers Union strike caused about two months in construction delays, while site engineers had difficulty purchasing certain materials like steel from suppliers.

In total, the problems created about three months in delays. The entire complex - including the outdoor sports fields - is expected to open in the spring.

Milanovic said crews are working hard, but place safety over expediency.

"Even if the (small) rink was ready to go, we couldn't really open that side because how are you going to get them in there?" He said. "We need to get the (walkway) open."

Once finished, the recreation centre will feature a twin-pad arena, aquatics facility, gymnasium, fitness room, and community space. It is located on Innisfil Beach Road, near the South Simcoe Police North Division Office and the new Town Hall administration building.

So far, the rink has had a full slate of users.

"The first week went well, we've only had good reviews from the public," said Milanovic. "In the evenings, we're fully operational. From 3 (p.m.) on we've got skating or hockey and on weekends it's right from 6 (a.m.) to 11 or 12 (p.m.)."

Staff will be moving into the $10 million town hall between Feb. 22 and 25, with the first council meeting planned in the new facility March 12.

The town hall will have several upgrades over the current administration building. It will include handicap accessible council chambers with a 150 seat public gallery, three community meeting rooms, and a customer service centre near the front entrance. The third floor of the building will contain 1,000 square feet of extra space, which could be leased out to private business owners until the town needs to expand its offices.

Both the recreation centre and town hall will be linked by an internal road network.