In preparation for the 2015 Canada Winter Games, work on the Kin Centre is scheduled to begin in earnest on Tuesday. That doesn't mean, however, that the wrecking ball will be swinging right away or that changes will be immediately noticeable.
"In terms of actually seeing things, of course that will take several weeks because there are a lot of behind-the-scenes things that will happen," said Andy Beesley, CN Centre and community arenas manager.
The major component of the project is the demolition of Kin 1 and its reconstruction. The new Kin 1 will have an Olympic-sized ice surface, seating for 1,000 spectators, new dressing rooms and a new roof. Wood will feature prominently in the design of the building.
Kin 2, meanwhile, will be significantly upgraded. It will have 400 new seats and five new change rooms. The Kin Lounge -- the upstairs area between Kin 1 and Kin 2 -- will also be completely redone.
The cost of the overall project, which has been placed in the hands of Yellowridge Construction of Langley, has been estimated at $15.8 million and is expected to take 16 months to complete. The City of Prince George has consulted with the various Kin Centre user groups and has been able to minimize the disruptions to their schedules.
Work inside the building will be coordinated in a manner that allows activities to proceed as normally as possible in Kin 2 and Kin 3.
"I think the most important thing that we want to get across is that it's being done in phases to make sure we maximize the floor time and ice time that's available," Beesley said. "For example, before the contractor starts demolishing and renovating the Kin 1 and Kin 2 change rooms we're making sure that the new Kin 2 change rooms are fully-built and ready to go. That way we're always making sure that we're not down two rinks, we're only down one rink at a time."
Mike Davis, director of marketing and communications for the Canada Winter Games, said the new Kin Centre will be "a phenomenal legacy piece" for the Games.
"It's going to be one of the top facilities in Western Canada once it's complete, and what an amazing piece to showcase when Canada comes here," Davis said. "Not many people realize how spectacular the facilities are here in town so people are going to have a big eye-opener when they see everything, including that project."
The Canada Winter Games are scheduled for Feb. 12 to March 1 and will be the largest multi-sport and cultural gathering in Prince George's history. More than 3,600 athletes, coaches and officials -- as well as thousands of visitors -- will be here for the Games.
The Games are expected to pump $70 to $90 million into the local economy.
