The City of North Battleford has provided the following information to answer frequently asked questions about the Credit Union CUPlex.
What is the Credit Union CU Plex?
The Credit Union CU Plex will be a new complex of public buildings. It is being constructed by the City of North Battleford. The complex will include a new aquatic centre, a performing arts centre, a curling rink and a field House.
What will be included in the performing arts centre?
The main feature of the performing arts centre will be a 374 seat stage and theatre. The tiered design theatre will be ideal for music, dance and theatre performances. Ample dressing room space, a secondary performance/rehearsal hall and a spacious public lobby will make this a first class facility.
Is seating for 374 in the performing arts centre enough?
Some events, like final performances at Dance Festivals in North Battleford have attracted close to 500 people. At 374 seats, the design is one of the largest that can be done without a balcony level, while preserving sight lines and acoustics. While it would be nice to accommodate those kinds of numbers, the cost to develop additional seating was significant, and it is believed that 374 seats will be sufficient for over 90 per cent of events in the facility.
What will the aquatic centre consist of?
The aquatic centre will include two distinct main pools. The first is a leisure pool that will feature zero depth entry, a wave pool, a lazy river and two water slides. The second will be a six lane, 25 metre lap pool. Other features will include a hot tub and a steam room.
Why a six lane lap pool instead of an eight lane lap pool?
It is important to remember that the new aquatic centre is already doubling the amount of water surface than we currently have in the Kinsmen aquatic centre. Adding an additional two lanes would increase the span of the entire building, estimated at an additional $800,000.
Will competitive aquatics clubs have the ability to train in the new pool?
Because there are two pools, the lap pool will be available for groups, such as competitive swimming and synchronized swimming groups, for more hours than are available now in the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre. The Leisure pool will also have more hours for public swimming. Recreational lap swimming will be more convenient.
What about competitions? Will we be able to host a provincial meet?
The lap pool will be better equipped than the current pool to host competitions. The pool depth will meet the competitive standard and include additional deck space for athletes and officials. Invitational meets are a definite possibility; however provincial championships may choose to go to larger centres.
What will be inside the field house?
The field house is projected to contain two indoor soccer fields. One will have a turf like surface for field sports such as soccer, football and baseball. The other surface will be a rubberized multi-sport surface that can accommodate volleyball, basketball, tennis, badminton as well as be an alternate surface for the field sports. The multi-sport surface will also more readily accommodate other events such as trade shows, conventions and large meeting / spectator stands on the second level for both fields will have capacity for 200 for each surface. Locker rooms on the main level and a walking /running track will be on the third level.
What amenities will be included in the curling rink?
This state of the art curling rink will be a 6 sheet artificial ice facility and will contain locker rooms, a cafeteria and lounge area as well as viewing areas from two levels.
Will my taxes go up to build this facility?
The City has been collecting for a fund called the Recreation Facilities Fund. This fund forms the basis for the City contribution. The City can fund the $10 Million contribution without raising taxes for the capital cost.
What about operating costs?
Operating budgets have not been finalized for these facilities. It is the goal of the City to maximize revenues and keep the expenditures in check in order to minimize subsidies to the facilities
