Province providing $18M over three years for new Trent University arena

The province is partnering with the City of Peterborough and Trent University by providing $18 million over three years to support construction of the new arena and aquatics complex at Trent University.

The new building on Pioneer Road will replace the ageing 52-year-old Northcrest Arena, which will close once the twin pad arena opens.

“We will have the capital funding available over three fiscal cycles,” said Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal.

“In 2018, 2019 we will provide $4.5 million, in 2019/20 it will be $9 million, in 2021 it will be $4.5 million and, of course, that matches the construction schedule for the City of Peterborough.”

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The new arena will sit on 22 acres of land and have seating for 965 people. It will also include an elevated running track and a 25-meter 10 lane competitive pool and warm-up pool.

Gillian Barnes, the city’s project manager of facilities and planning initiatives, said this funding was long awaited, and because of the funding, the city is now able to offer an aquatics centre as part of the overall project.

“The aquatics centre was always included in the process of the design, but there was always some trepidation as to whether or not the project would go with the full build out or if it would have to be phased,” said Barnes.

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READ MORE: New Peterborough arena site plans draw flak, ire from students, environmentalists

Dan Stratton, head coach of Trent Swim Club, also praised the funding. Up until now, competitive swimmers have faced limitations because of the design of the current building.

“We’ll be able to host meets that we haven’t been able to host in the last three or four years,” he said. “I think it also benefits the community long-term, both our club and aquatics in general I think this will be a real contribution in terms of the overall health of the community long term.”

The project team will be providing an update report to city council in late May, early June. Construction is expected to start next spring and is estimated to take 2.5 years to complete.