Access Event Centre Re-Development
GRAND OPENING OF PHASE THREE -
January 20th, 2011 at 2:00 pm. - Ribbon Cutting
Everyone Welcome!
Tours & Refreshements 2 - 7 pm.
Naming Rights A Success - A Great Partnership Between The Town & Business
The Community Services Department is excited with the success of the Naming Rights Campaign.
Naming Rights include: Access Event Centre; Huron Window Corporation Arena; Co-op Gold Arena, Morden Chiropractor Centre Meeting Room; and Vern's Carpets Play Centre.
If you are interested in joining the campaign the Community Hall and one meeting room are still available. For more information please contact Clare Agnew, Director of Community Services.
Other confirmed naming rights include the BSI Insurance Skate Plaza and the Spray Park sponsored by Decor Cabinets Company.
Thank you to these businesses for your interest in the services and active living opportunities in our community.
December 15th, 2010 - Writing the Construction List and Checking It Twice . . .
The construction at the Access Event Centre (Community Centre) is nearing completion ... what an accomplishment!
In the last 3 years the Community Centre has gone through almost $5,500,000 worth of renovations, upgrades and additions. We have a building that meets or exceeds codes with accessibility and the sprinkler system, health codes in the kitchen, and all fire regulations.
We have added space and opened up the viewing areas in the arena, an in-door play centre for the kids, additional meeting rooms, a work shop and office for the maintenance staff, sports storage for the minor sports organizations, a new entrance and lobby, created new washrooms and an entrance for the Community Hall, increased the Baseball Hall of Fame space, and developed a fully equipped kitchen for the catering department.
We've upgraded the flooring and plumbing in the arena dressing rooms, we've primed and painted the whole interior, and we've upgraded the office area, fixed the ceilings and improved the doors and locks.
Did we get it all? Not quite. The one component of the original phase 3 plans that is outstanding is the expansion of the Community Hall and development of the new stage area. This work will remain on the plans for future consideration by Town Council.
November 29th, 2010 - Naming Right SOLD to Access Credit Union
With the new look will come a new name! Access Credit Union decided to sponsor the whole complex – which will now be called the Access Event Centre.
"Access Credit Union is pleased to partner with the Town of Morden on this project, says CEO Robert Jones. Access Event Centre is visited by people from across southern Manitoba so as a regional credit union, this aligns well to our vision, mission, and core values," said CEO Robert Jones, Access Credit Union
“I think with all the work that has happened at the community centre – businesses are excited to be included in the project. Everything is looking so fresh and new. The name Access Event Centre is a great fit for us! It’s all inclusive to the variety of activities that happen in the building. The Access Credit Union is a strong business in our community and understands the value of being involved. I’m pleased with their commitment and look forward to the partnership,” said Clare Agnew – Director of Community Services.
A Grand Opening ceremony celebrating the completion of Phase Three will be held on January 20th, 2011. The main ribbon cutting will take place at 2:00 pm with tours offered until 7:00 pm. Everyone is invited.
October 28th, 2010 - Office Renovations Begin
The office renovations have begun at the Community Centre. Walls are comi.jpg)
ng down as are the wires. The result will be that four offices will now be where there used to be three. Note that the entrance/reception area to the offices will come out into the lobby area. At the moment you will find all the staff working in the play centre area. Why not visit the Community Centre and see all the changes to the building. It is looking amazing.
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October 26th, 2010 – Community Centre Offices Have Moved
Thanks to additional funding, the Morden Community Centre will be able to continue with a couple more aspects of the Phase Three renovation project.
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The Morden Community Centre is moving forward with the office renovations as well as adding an additional bar area to the hall. During the office renovations, the CSD staff has relocate to the Vern’s Carpets Play Centre. There may be some disruptions during this process so we ask for resident’s patience.
“It’s unfortunate that the play centre will not be available for a couple months, but it’s a convenient place for the offices to be set up. Users to the facility will see the offices as soon as they enter the building rather than looking around for us in one of the meeting rooms,” explained Clare Agnew.
“The office work and the bar in the community hall will now be completed. This along with the money raised for the family accessible washroom means the only part of phase 3, that was originally planned for and not completed at this point, will be the stage renovation. It’s certainly an additional boost to the project,” said Clare Agnew – Director of Community Services
August 24th, 2010 – What’s in a Name?
Names are important, get it right and all sorts of good things can happen!
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In November, 2009, a Marketing Opportunities campaign provided public-spirited individuals, businesses, corporations, foundations, and community groups with the opportunity to sponsor a variety of Morden's recreational facilities, in return for naming rights. The campaign was designed to support the Town’s commitment to delivering high quality public services at the same time as giving businesses a great advertising opportunity. The Community Centre is a very busy place, approximately 300,000 people used the facilities in 2009, so clearly those who participate in the naming campaign will enhance their organizations visibility. This venue is a space for the whole community and the support from the businesses helps confirm this vision.
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On August 23rd, the first two participants in the naming campaign were approved by Town Council. The two confirmed participants are: Vern’s Carpets for the new indoor play centre and Huron Windows Corporation for the west arena.
"It's always a rewarding experience when business owners come forward with this type of support. It demonstrates real commitment, dedication and loyalty to the community. Council greatly appreciates their generosity,” said Councillor Maurice Butler.
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The Marketing Opportunities Committee, chaired by Director of Community Services, Clare Agnew, is completing negotiations with two additional participants in the campaign and hopes to make these announcements in the near future.
Naming right opportunities are still available for the overall community centre building, one meeting room, the east arena and the spray park. If you are interested in participating, please contact Clare Agnew at 822-5431 or cagnew@mordenmb.com.
“It’s great to see the project come together and the support from the business community is always so encouraging. The fresh updated look of the Community Centre will be enhanced by the new identification of the areas within the venue.” said Clare Agnew – Director of Community Services.
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Update - June 10th, 2010
The whole idea of it’s going to get worse before it gets better – is certainly the case with construction and renovations. The focus now is on the main entrance to the building ensuring access for high school graduation in June. At the same time, the west arena basement floor is being jack hammered for the installation of a new sewer line and improvements to the washrooms and floors in the change room area. The progress is certainly steady and it’s exciting to see the project come together. The target date for the completion of the entire project is November 2010.
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Update - March 15th, 2010
The Community Centre Renovations are progressing at a steady pace. The new entrance to the building is taking shape and is a much anticipated addition. Construction of the main entrance is expected to be complete by June 2010. The upcoming provincial and regional competitions in both arenas will be a good test for the newly installed sound system. The overall project is over budget and there will have to be some cuts. It will all be completed by November 2010 with all necessary certification expected by February 2011.
Update - December 11th, 2009.jpg)
PHASE 3 Renovations Underway – Parking May Be an Issue But It Will Be Worth It!
The drawings are finalized, plans are in place, and construction has started! Phase 3 of the Community Centre construction project includes:
- renovations to the main entrance
- reconfiguration of the office space
- opening the north lobby into the West Arena
- completing the sprinkler work in the east and west arena basement areas
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- construction of two meeting rooms, an accessible washroom in the main lobby area, and an indoor play area
- expansion of the south addition including a renovated stage area and storage.
Drawings of the renovation work are displayed at the Community Services Office located at the Community Centre. The project is meeting many needs within the community and will provide us with an amazing building that serves as the hub of the community. The building .jpg)
will now meet all fire regulations, accessibility standards and health codes. As well, our patrons will have more space and be more comfortable. Please watch for directional signage for entrance into the building, parking, and accessibility options.
There may be some inconveniences during the construction period; we will do our best to accommodate people and events. We trust that it will be worth it in the end! Morden’s facility is often the envy of other communities and with these renovations will continue to be so well into the future.
Update - October 1st, 2009
- WBS and Affinity Architects will be continuing the work,
- We will be starting construction in October,
- The Concrete and steel is being tendered now, the other tenders will be sent out in November,
- Final completion is not determined at this point – until tenders come in,
- Outside work will be done first, moving inside once the shell has been constructed,
- We will not be doing work that will interrupt Christmas banquets and concert
Funding
Morden was the fortunate recipient of $894,094 from the
federal government through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program. We’re working on finalizing plans and contracts in preparation to begin construction in the fall. (2009)
Phase Three
The third and final phase of the Community Centre Re-development project includes:
- renovating the main entrance,
- reconfiguring office space,
- opening the north lobby into the West Arena,
- completing the sprinkler work in the east and west arena basement areas,
- constructing two meeting rooms,
- constructing an accessible washroom in the main lobby area,
- an indoor play area,
- and expanding the south addition including a renovated stage area and storage.
Drawings of the renovation work are displayed at the Community Services Office located at the Community Centre.
Phase 1 and 2 of the construction project was completed by funding from the Town of Morden ($2,560,301.37) and Community Places Grants ($73,000).
The overall Phase 3 construction project is budgeted at $2.7 million, with the federal government grant covering a third of the costs. The Town is working on ways to fund the remaining $1.8 million and will communicate with the public as decisions are confirmed. A Marketing Committee will be developing a plan to approach the community for support.
The financial commitment to the renovations of the Community Centre has been quite substantial; the overall project costs are approximately $5.2 million. The project is meeting many needs within the community and will provide us with an amazing building that serves as the hub of the community. The building will now meet all fire regulations, health codes, and accessibility standards and provide more comfort for our patrons. Morden’s facility is the envy of other communities and will continue to be so well into the future.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we complete the upgrades to your facility.
What work was part of the other two phases?
Phase One:
- New Kitchen,
- New buffet service area, which can also be used as a meeting room,
- New storage room for tables and chairs used in the Community Hall,
- New entrance to the Community Hall,
- New coat check room for the Community Hall,
- Expansion of the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame,
- Expansion of the lobby area by removing the walls of the previous Physiotherapy office.
Phase Two:
- New maintenance shop,
- New Community Hall washrooms.