ENMAX Renovations Moving Along

The 34.5 million dollar renovations going on at the ENMAX Centre are progressing, for the most part ahead of schedule.

On Tuesday afternoon, those in charge of the construction took local media for a tour of the facility and to update everyone on what's been going on since the building was shut down at the beginning of April. We also got introduced to Kim Gallucci, the new General Manager of the ENMAX Centre. Gallucci comes to Lethbridge from Saskatchewan where he was responsible for running the Saskatoon Arts and Convention Centre and just recently oversaw an expansion and renovation project there. I also spoke with Len Overbeke, the Operations Manager at the ENMAX Centre. Here's a little of what Len had to say about the project so far.

Pat: Where at we at when it comes to the overall construction of the project?

Overbeke: "The fact we were able to start work inside a month earlier worked out really good. With the weather we've had over the past few weeks, outside it's kind of delayed us a week, maybe two. Ward Brothers has some contingencies built in so they can catch back up and be ready for October. Inside, they've really been able to be move ahead fast. As you could see during the tour, the rooms are finished. In the dressing rooms the walls are all up, they're working on the electrical, duct work, and plumbing. They're finishing areas a lot quicker than they anticipated."

Pat: I see the steel work for the new score clock and the new media/broadcast area is already going up.

Overbeke: "Yeah, as the steel work is going up, we anticipate having a new clock for the 2011-2012 hockey season. The steel work for this still has to go up right now. We will re-locate the old score clock in the new score clock position for this coming season, which will actually centre it east and west in the building. In the past it's been set off to one side, which has caused us issues for both hockey and other events."

Pat: I understand this whole score clock thing will be going to City Council soon. Can you tell me more about it?

Overbeke: "Basically we've just finished the research and design phase. We're hoping to put a tender out for the score clock. Our consultants will look at it and we hope to bring a recommendation to Council sometime in August."

Pat: Is everything on time and on budget?

Overbeke: "Yes. We've had no issues with our budget at all. With the nice weather we're now getting we can catch up what we are behind on the outside."

Pat: I take it when people come to see the first event in here this fall, which is the Hurricanes home opener in October, they will see a much different looking ENMAX Centre inside?

Overbeke: "Yeah, when people come into the parking lot, they'll see two entrances into the building, one in the northeast and another in the northwest. Inside, people will see a much larger concourse area as they come in as well as the new full-service concessions."

To the left is the Hurricanes new dressing room which has been relocated to the northwest side of the building. Once it's complete next season, the visiting teams will use the Hurricanes old dressing rooms.

Looking up in the start of the new broadcast/media gondola which is being built on the eastside of the ENMAX Centre. The four light-coloured squares in the upper left are the start of the floor on the gondola. It won't be operational until the start of the 2011/2012 season.