Bell Sensplex

operational

Opportunity In response to population growth and a lack of existing modern recreational facilities, the City of Ottawa wanted to build a new year-round, multi-pad ice and field sports facility in the city’s west end. Recognizing the high capital cost of the project the City outsourced management and operations of the new facility to achieve cost savings and improve efficiency. Innovations A Lifecycle Renewal Reserve (one per cent of construction value contributed annually) was set up to ensure timely maintenance and lifecycle repairs of the facility. At the end of the 30-year agreement, the City will purchase the facility and land for the sum of one dollar. Results The two-storey, 180,000 square-foot Bell Sensplex houses one Olympic-sized international ice surface with seating for 750 fans, three NHL-sized rinks and a soccer/sports field that is suitable for a wide range of sports including soccer, football, rugby and lacrosse. Retail components of the sports and recreation centre include two food outlets, a restaurant/bar, an interactive computer gaming lounge and a sports store. Several design innovations to increase operational efficiency were incorporated into the facility including ice melt pits, where snow cleared off the ice surfaces is melted and re-used; a computerized lighting and climate-control system that reduces energy consumption by synchronizing with ice booking times; and a refrigeration system that recaptures exhausted heat and recycles it into the building to save energy. Residents of Ottawa’s west end have benefited from a world-class recreational facility with expanded community programming. The facility was designed to encourage comfort, fun and repeat visits and includes a number of special facilities, the Roger Neilson Coach’s Centre for training and game strategy and the Peak Centre athletic performance team all combine. The City of Ottawa purchases 2,400 hours of prime ice time annually at a rate of $143 per hour—the City’s public sector comparator was $250 per hour— which it then resells to users at the existing City rate.

High