Indoor Turf Facility Project Update

We’re excited to share an update on the progress of the new Indoor Turf Facility, a project that will bring year-round sports and recreational opportunities to our community. Here’s what you need to know:

Who’s Leading the Project?

A dedicated team is guiding this project to ensure it’s completed efficiently and meets community needs:

• Kelvin Jankowski, Manager - Capital Facilities Construction (Project Manager)
  
• Brian Black, Supervisor - Arenas & Stadia
• Leah Prentice, Director - Recreation & Culture
• Matthew Miedema, Director - Engineering

This team will work closely with other stakeholders, such as user groups and technical advisors, throughout the process. Stantec Architecture will assist as a technical advisor when needed.

Key Steps So Far

• Prequalification Process Completed:In the Fall of 2024, three Design/Build Teams were shortlisted after meeting all criteria:
  1. FinnWay General Contractor
  2. McDonald Brothers Construction Inc.
  3. Tom Jones Corporation
     These teams include local architects, engineers, and builders.
• Next Phase: Each team will develop a design and cost estimate for the project. To support their work, they will receive an honorarium of $50,000. Proposals are due by mid-February 2025.

What’s Next?

• Proposal Review: Once we receive the proposals, we’ll carefully evaluate them based on technical quality and cost. The process is designed to prioritize value for taxpayers while staying within the project’s approved budget.
• Decision and Negotiation: After selecting the winning design, we’ll finalize the design details and explore cost-saving opportunities before construction begins.

Tentative Timeline

Here’s a snapshot of the key milestones for the Indoor Turf Facility:

• Proposal Evaluation and Selection: March 2025
• Finalize Design and Award Contract: By June 2025
• Construction Phase: June 2025 – October 2026
• Facility Opens: October 2026
• Warranty Period: October 2026 – October 2027

Staying Informed

We’re committed to keeping you updated as the project progresses. Additionally, we’re exploring ways to raise extra funds through sponsorships, fundraising, and grants to enhance this facility.

Demand for Indoor Turf in Thunder Bay

Since 2016, the City of Thunder Bay has been systematically examining the possibility of constructing an indoor turf facility to address the community’s need for indoor turf sports capacity during the long winter months that we experience. Participation in turf sports have trended upwards over the last decade in North America, with Thunder Bay being no exception. Past end user sport organization surveys concluded that a proposed indoor turf facility could benefit over 6,000 users who participate in a variety of turf sports – soccer, football, Ultimate frisbee, field lacrosse, cricket, baseball in the city. Peak demand for access to the proposed indoor turf facility will be evenings/weekends October to April.

Alignment with Council’s Strategic Plan – “Maamawe – Growing Together”

The realization of a proposed multi-use indoor turf facility is aligned with the “Safety and Well-being” strategic pillar to keep our community healthy, safe and strong through creating equitable access to recreation and sport. The investment in the proposed facility will also support Council’s strategic priority of growing our city.

OVERVIEW

Soccer Northwest Ontario (SNO) developed a new indoor turf project concept in consultation with others which they presented to the newly elected City Council in December 2022. Council directed Administration to undertake preliminary site studies and develop a more refined project plan in consultation with SNO. In November 2023, Council directed Administration to complete public consultation and report back on estimated capital and operating costs according to two (2) different building standards: i) the Ontario Building Code (‘OBC Compliant’); and, ii) the City of Thunder Bay’s Facility Design Standards Policy (‘CTB Facility Design Standard’).