Town of Paradise Proposed Arena
Paradise Proposed Arena
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Background
As a part of the Town of Paradise’s Strategic Plan, one of its goals is to build a sense of community with recreation facility development and programming being two of the key components required. Its priority for recreation facilities is to finalize plans and work towards the completion of a new arena for the Town of Paradise located in the area of the town’s community complex.
This will meet many of its proposed outcomes measures including:
As a part of the Town of Paradise’s Strategic Plan, one of its goals is to build a sense of community with recreation facility development and programming being two of the key components required. Its priority for recreation facilities is to finalize plans and work towards the completion of a new arena for the Town of Paradise located in the area of the town’s community complex.
This will meet many of its proposed outcomes measures including:
- Greater percentage of youth involved in winter related activities such as hockey, skating, figure skating etc…
- Increase in participation levels of adults of all ages in recreational skating, recreational hockey, and other winter related activities
- More residents will stay in Paradise for winter recreational activities (economic advantages can be a tremendous asset to local businesses etc…)
- Will be an increase in visitors and user groups to the town to access the new facility
- Increase in employment opportunities and in the development of the town’s volunteer base as a result of having this new facility.
- Ability to host concert events
Also, with the development of our business park, we see this as an opportunity to host conferences and trade shows, in the future.
The Region
The current supply and demand conditions of ice facilities in the St. John’s metropolitan area support the addition of at least another facility within the region. It is felt that the increase in demand for the region is a function of additional pressure being brought on by program developers as a function of increased population growth in the younger age groups (0-4; 5-9).
The Town of Paradise is perfectly suited to fill this void. It has a current population of 2175 aged 0-9, with a projected population of 3680 aged 0-9 in 2014. It has the youngest population in the province and is ideally situated for a new ice surface for the region. Unlike neighboring municipalities, the Town of Paradise has a population that is steadily increasing in this segment and there is no ice surface within a reasonable commute that has ice time available for hire when required.
The total population for the Town of Paradise from the 2006 census is 12,584. However, the current estimated population for of the Town of Paradise is in excess of 15, 000 residents.
The Town of Paradise grew by 30% from 2001-2006 (9500 to 12,500) an average of 6% per year.
The growth projections for the St. John’s Metropolitan area are described as “medium” and predict a growth for the region of just over 8,000 people over the 15 years, ranging from 2008-2022. The yearly growth rate being predicted is between 0.3% and 0.6%. A “medium” projection for Paradise would be a yearly increase of 3%. Paradise has the largest predicted growth in the region, over the coming years. Housing starts over the past five years are as follows:
The Region
The current supply and demand conditions of ice facilities in the St. John’s metropolitan area support the addition of at least another facility within the region. It is felt that the increase in demand for the region is a function of additional pressure being brought on by program developers as a function of increased population growth in the younger age groups (0-4; 5-9).
The Town of Paradise is perfectly suited to fill this void. It has a current population of 2175 aged 0-9, with a projected population of 3680 aged 0-9 in 2014. It has the youngest population in the province and is ideally situated for a new ice surface for the region. Unlike neighboring municipalities, the Town of Paradise has a population that is steadily increasing in this segment and there is no ice surface within a reasonable commute that has ice time available for hire when required.
The total population for the Town of Paradise from the 2006 census is 12,584. However, the current estimated population for of the Town of Paradise is in excess of 15, 000 residents.
The Town of Paradise grew by 30% from 2001-2006 (9500 to 12,500) an average of 6% per year.
The growth projections for the St. John’s Metropolitan area are described as “medium” and predict a growth for the region of just over 8,000 people over the 15 years, ranging from 2008-2022. The yearly growth rate being predicted is between 0.3% and 0.6%. A “medium” projection for Paradise would be a yearly increase of 3%. Paradise has the largest predicted growth in the region, over the coming years. Housing starts over the past five years are as follows:
|
Year
|
New HOUSING STARTS
|
|
|
2003
|
328
|
|
|
2004
|
335
|
|
|
2005
|
301
|
|
|
2006
|
322
|
|
|
2007
|
406
|
|
|
2008
|
570
|
|
The Town of Paradise is ideally suited for an ice surface at this time. It has the fastest growing population in the province and subsequent increasing budget, meaning it is one of the few communities that can sustain a facility of this type. Our neighbouring municipalities also recognize the need this facility and have given us a letter of support.
Our Commitment
The Town of Paradise is committed to an arena. The Town is prepared to cost share this much needed facility and partner with business and other levels of government. It is prepared to commit to this project equally with both the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada.
Currently preliminary work has been completed in regards to the type of facility, how it will be situated in regards to its other major facilities and how it is incorporated into its recreation Master Plan. Land has already been identified, committed; the grading of the land is near completion.
The Town of Paradise is currently working with an engineering firm on detailed plans. It is estimated that the cost of the proposed facility will be approximately nine million dollars. These figures are based on preliminary estimates by our community engineers, Bae Newplan.
The proposed building dimensions will be approximately three hundred feet by one hundred and forty feet. It will have a will have a seating capacity of approximately eight hundred and fifty people, with additional capacity of three hundred people standing; This type of facility will be ideally suited for hosting many community events for the residents of Paradise and the entire region
We feel that by forging ahead and having done much of the preliminary work, we are one of the few municipalities that are in the enviable position to be able to see this type of project completed. Your support is greatly requested by the residents of Paradise and of the region. Pease contact your MHA's and voice your opinion.
There is an arena fund raising committee established and this committe will be working with community organizations and stakeholders to help promote and fundraise for our much needed arena.
Your support is greatly appreciated.
Town of Paradise
LETTERS OF SUPPORT
City of St. John's
City of Mt. Pearl
