The cost to build a new community and recreation centre in North Bay could be as much as $32 million.

The joint-venture design team of Toronto-based MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects Ltd. and North Bay’s Mitchell Jensen Architects revealed its plans for the 74,000-square foot facility to the City of North Bay earlier this month.

Key features include two NHL-sized ice pads, an upper-level walking track, a multi-purpose community room located at the heart of the facility, as well as 14 barrier-free change rooms. One of the rinks will offer seating for as many as 300 people; the other for up to 150 people.

“The new community centre and twin-pad arena in West Ferris will improve access to sport and recreation opportunities for the citizens of North Bay, and add to the already wonderful quality of life we enjoy in our great city,” said Community Services Committee chair, councillor Johanne Brousseau.

MJMA and Mitchell Jensen Architects were awarded the contract for the design and layout of the new facility, which will be integrated with the existing Steve Omischl Sports Complex at on Lakeshore Drive, in September 2019. The design team is expected to provide a more complete design this spring with tender-ready documents prepared in the late summer, and construction to start in the fall. The building is expected to be open to the public in September 2022.

The designers say their approach was guided by the need to efficiently use public and shared spaces. The result was a trident-shaped building that consolidates shares spaces in the centre, and easy access to the wings. The designers also focused on being as energy efficient as possible. The building uses waste hear to cool the rink slabs and warm the stands and change rooms.

“I think it’s something that our community can be very proud of,” said Mayor Al McDonald. “I think the walking track was critical to the design. With the trident view, when you walk in you can see both rinks. I like the fact that they have incorporated it so that it is overlooking the park area at the Steve Omischl complex, the fact you can walk out and you are under a sheltered part of the roof and that there is lots of glass.”