New report says pool and arena at Northern Lights Palace need repairs

By Doug Lett

Northern Lights Palace repairs

Report says Melfort’s Northern Lights Palace needs $15 million in repairs and upgrades

Oct 15, 2022 | 9:00 AM

A report going to Melfort city council on Monday has said the Northern Lights Palace needs about $15 million of repairs and upgrades.

The report states the arena, which serves Melfort and area, is over 32 years old and parts of it have deteriorated.

“The aquatics area has suffered significant deterioration,” said a summary going to council. “The aquatics equipment has surpassed its design life.” The report said the arena portion has aged a little better, but still needs work.

The report notes that rust is a significant problem in various parts of the pool, including the ceiling and door frames. It also said the waterslide should be removed and replaced, and has a long list of other problems, from water leaks into the basement’s mechanical room, to repairs needed to the concrete slab.

The report also lists options for improving the facility in the future. Some options include a second ice sheet, new waterslides, and a new spa, along with an expanded concession area, and expansions to the second-floor area.

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However, the cost of these longer-term improvements is estimated at $54 million dollars.

Still, the report said improvements are worth considering.

“As modern aquatics facilities develop in other communities not far from Melfort, such as Prince Albert and Saskatoon, there will be increased competition for tourism dollars and traffic,” the report states. “The same vision that brought about the original construction of this facility should be applied to extending the life of the facility for the next 25 years.”

The report recommends the city start looking at funding options for the estimated $15 million dollars in repairs and upgrades needed in the next few years.

Last spring, the city commissioned an architectural firm, aodbt architecture + interior design, to do the study. The city got the finished report in August.

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