New Multi-Use Complex Project
Timeline of Events
January 30th, 2019 – Hosted first Public Meeting at the North Rustico Lions Club, over 100 in attendance
March 2019 – Tendered work for a feasibility study and concept plan of a proposed complex -work awarded to Firland Management/Jim Cain
April 9th, 2019 – Met with Adam Clark from the 2023 Canada Games to inquire about North Rustico hosting an event if new facility is completed
April 12, 2019 – Submitted application for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP)
May 9th, 2019 – Hosted a meeting with those who signed up to be on various committees for the new facility
May 29th, 2019 – Met with Minister of Transportation Steven Myers, his Deputy Darren Chaisson and our local MLA/Minister Brad Trivers about the importance of this project to North Rustico and surrounding areas.
May 30th, 2019 – Met with ACOA to discuss funding opportunities with them – may look at submitting application to help furnish hospitality room/event center portion
June 13th, 2019 – Met with Fundraising, Advertising and Sponsorship Group to discuss options to move forward. Kick started fundraising by using Canada Day 50/50 revenue as the start of the local community level fundraising.
Various Dates between April-June – Met with various North Star Arena stakeholders to get input and feedback on existing arena and a new proposed facility
July 11th, 2019 – Jim Cain made Feasibility Study and Concept Plan presentation to Town Office staff, council and community volunteers
July 17th, 2019 – Patsy and Marley went to Town of Kensington to speak with their staff on their recreational facilities
July 24th, 2019 – Had a meeting for arena project volunteers to view the Feasibility Study and Concept Plan
July 30th, 2019 – Met with Jim Cain again to update him where we are with the project and to get some information on operating arenas
August 6th, 2019 – Spoke with Town’s lawyer and accountant to find out what the Town needs to do to start with the transition of ownership of the current arena
August 7th, 2019 – Obtained copies of the bylaws and mandates from the North Rustico Recreation Commission
August 21st, 2019 – Met with Randy, Janet, Mike and Marcel from arena board. Patsy will join the board as town representation. It was decided that the arena would be turned over to the town on April 1st, 2020 as the arena takes out ice surface and it will coincide with Town’s year end.
Various times throughout August – Contacted local MP and had conversations with Ministers, government officials and others on the status of the Town’s application to the ICIP fund. We were recently informed that our project has not gone before the provincial government yet for approval. It needs to be approved by the province and submitted to the federal government for their approval. As of September 11th, 2019, there has been no update on the status of our application.
September 10th & 11th, 2019 – Preparations for Public Meeting
September 11th, 2019 – Public meeting/update for new multi-use facility project. Council and staff attended. Meeting was chaired by Kevin MacAdam and Jim Cain spoke on the project and answered questions from the public.
September 17th, 2019 – Patsy copy of Town’s funding application to Emily Allen at Premier’s office
September 23rd, 2019 – Sent out update to residents regarding project
September 25th, 2019 – Patsy’s first meeting on board of management and will be attending meetings every two weeks to learn about the operations of the current arena.
October 1st, 2019 – Patsy had a brief discussion with Darlene Rhondenizer at the Infrastructure Secretariat regarding the town’s project
October 2nd, 2019 – Met with Kevin MacAdam and George Noble to discuss sponsorships and fundraising
October 7th, 2019 – Meeting with Minister Brad Trivers and Marsha Hammill. Min. Brad advised it could be a year before we hear on this funding.
October 8th, 2019 – Patsy, Marley and Heather went to tour the APM Centre.
October 22nd, 2019 – Marley contacted various funders to get information on applications and if project would be eligible for funding.
October 28th, 2019 – Spoke with Minister Brad Trivers, Marsha Hammill and George Noble
November, 2019 – Heather spoke with Edna Flood from Canada Games.
November 6th, 2019 – Marley and Patsy visited Evangeline and Tignish arenas.
November 25th, 2019 – Patsy, Marley, Les, Heather, Kristen met with Minister Brad Trivers and Marsha Hammill to talk about the project. Min. Trivers suggested putting information in bullet form to present to Premier.
Patsy, Marley, Les and Heather went to Charlottetown to meet with Minister Jamie Fox to discuss project and the benefit to North Rustico. Explained we are not getting any feedback whatsoever. Minister Fox will have some conversations and we will meet again in December.
November 29th, 2019 – Heather and Marley met with Honorable Wayne Easter to give him an update of where we are with the project and who we are meeting and to see how Wayne can help moving forward.
December 3rd, 2019 – Marley, Patsy, Heather and Les met with Rec Commission members (Norman Gallant and Tony Larkin) to discuss arena takeover timeline – April 1st, 2020.
December 10th, 2019 – Marley, Patsy and Heather had very positive meeting with Kyle Dudley, CEO for PEI 2023 Canada Games. Canada Games are looking for an arena to possibly outfit with an Olympic sized ice surface (that can be reverted back to an NHL sized surface) to host short-track speed skating as there is currently no arena here to accommodate this.
December 11th, 2019 – Marley, Patsy and Heather met with George Noble and Kevin MacAdam to discuss meeting with Kyle Dudley, past meetings and make plan for upcoming meeting with Minister Myers.
December 12th, 2019 – Marley, Patsy, Heather, Les, Jim Cain, Kevin MacAdam, George Noble, Marsha Hammill met with Minister of Transportation Steven Myers, Deputy Minister Darren Chaisson and two other staff members of their department to discuss the importance, the feasibility of a new complex in North Rustico and the recent meeting with PEI Canada Games CEO Kyle Dudley. Minister advised there is $11M on hold from ICIP fund to help fund the 2023 Canada Games. Minister Myers stated there could be funds elsewhere to help fund either a portion or all of the project but will be going to Ottawa in February to have these discussions at the federal level.
January 8th, 2020 – Marley, Patsy and Les met with Kyle Dudley again to provide an update of where the project is and the plans moving forward.
Who’s Who? Below are the names and roles of those listed above:
Patsy – Patsy Gamauf – CAO for Town of North Rustico
Marley – Marley Doucette – Deputy CAO for Town of North Rustico
Kristen – Kristen Dennis – Administrative Assistant for Town of North Rustico
Heather – Heather McKenna – Mayor of Town of North Rustico
Les – Les Standen – Deputy Mayor for Town of North Rustico
George Noble & Kevin MacAdam – Community volunteers involved in project