The Bruins Complex at the new Spectra Place is going to be something special for the players and staff of the junior hockey team.
A big part of making the Bruins' facilities as good as they can be is the support from the community. Turnbull Redi-Mix is helping the vision of a first-rate facility come to fruition after making a very significant donation for naming rights.
The Turnbull Redi-Mix Bruins Complex will house a dressing room twice the size of the current Bruins' room at the Civic Auditorium, a players' lounge and meeting room, a trainer's room and coach's office.
Bruins president Jeff Pierson said the complex was designed and is being built keeping in mind that it's going to be used for the next 50 to 60 years. Outfitting the facility will cost more than $100,000.
"We're trying to take the same approach to the room that was taken to this entire new complex," said Pierson. "You want to do it right the first time. It wouldn't be good to have to cut corners or cut back, when we're doing this originally, and then down the road we say 'I wish we would have spent a little more money on this, but we didn't have it.' That is what I don't want to happen. Let's get it done right. It's kind of a one-shot deal."
He stressed the dressing room itself is a huge recruiting tool for prospective players. They want to have sufficient amenities.
"It's a place where these players spend a large amount of time over the course of the season. It has to be very comfortable."
He said they are in a good position thanks to Turnbull Redi-Mix as well as other supporters within the community.
"I don't know if you can ever have too much sponsorship. We're very fortunate this is such a generous community that is helping us pull this off. At the end of the day, I just want to make sure we've done the best job we can, and having what it needs in here."
The media room, which allows coaches to review game film with players is something that is one of the bigger costs to the new facilities. Additions like the ability to go over game film in a comfortable way, with enough space for the whole team to sit in and view the video, are what is going to add to the attractiveness to the Bruins as a centre for excellence in junior hockey.
As big of a recruiting tool the new ice surface will be for players, Pierson said it's the other things in the Bruins Complex that will definitely attract new players and help entice a new head coach.
