The final pieces are coming together at the four Credit Union CUPlex components.
The City and the public now have a much clearer idea about when the various components will open, with finishing touches still being completed.
According to a news release issued by the City Tuesday, it appears the first facility that will be opening is the Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre in late August 2012. Staff training begins in late July, and the features of the aquatic centre - the wave pool, two water slides, a six-lane pool, hot tub and steam room - have all been mechanically tested and are almost ready for use.
Parks and Recreation Director Keith Anderson showed city employees and media on a CUPlex tour Wednesday the wave pool in operation. In addition to a large wave generator and two waterslides of varying speed, the facility features a huge variety of fountains, water spouts, buckets and other devices that keep the facility in constant motion. On the tour, Anderson also announced the City had found someone to run the concession at the entrance of the facility, but the announcement of who would be left for later.
The City will oversee operations of the Aquatic Centre and the BTC Field House.
The Northland Power Curling Centre, slated for July completion, is due to be the second of the four facilities to open to the public. The facility will have six sheets of artificial ice and is equipped with two viewing levels, locker rooms, a cafeteria and lounge, and will be operated by the Battlefords Curling Club. The facility also has a meeting room described as having "the best view in town," overlooking the CUPlex facility and the river valley further away.
A September launch is planned for the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts, with a board in place and general manager Moe McGuinty hired to oversee the operations there. Moe and his staff moved into the facility July 9, though more work needs to be done for it to host performances. At the moment crews continue work to install the stage rigging, stage lighting and the sound system, with the final task to be the hanging of the stage curtain. In the meantime auditions have been underway for a talent show to open the facility.
The last component to open is expected to be the BTC Field House, which the City says will open November 2012.
The City says multi-sport floor surfaces will be installed following all interior concrete and brick work. Features will include a turf-like surface for field sports such as football and soccer on one side of the field house, while the other side will have a surface to accommodate sports such as basketball, volleyball and tennis. A 220 metre running track will be on the upper level of the facility. Because of the width of the track, it will to accommodate some stationary exercise equipment, and will have benches for runners to rest on.
The field house is also joined to the curling facility with second-storey walkway, allowing anyone using the track to travel to the curling centre's concession for a quick snack. The design of the curling centre allows its concession and viewing area to remain open even if the curling area is closed.
All the facilities are wheelchair accessible: the theatre has spaces for wheelchairs, the aquatic centre is all on one level, and the field house and curling centre both have elevators.
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