WFCU Centre Needing $990,000 In Upgrades Before Memorial Cup

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The WFCU Centre is in need of $990,000 worth of upgrades to accommodate the requirements to host the 2017 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

Upgrades include $250,000 for a media platform above suite level. This expansion would accommodate all 150 media spots that are required for the Memorial Cup and many future events. The new media platform would also require $25,000 worth of internet hardwire and electrical work.

Windsor city council is also being asked to spend $220,000 to replace existing rink boards that have begun to deteriorate over the past several years due to conversions for events.

In his report to council, Ray Mensour, Manager of the WFCU Centre says that over the last couple of years, individual boards have been replaced, but it is now necessary to replace them all, as many of them have become warped, and do not lineup directly which causes unpredictable puck bounces off the boards.

He says that this has been a major concern of the Windsor Spitfires and other hockey groups over the past few years, and they have been requesting that the City replace all the boards.

Other work includes converting the existing media room on the south side of the lower concourse into a dressing room.  The host bid requires dedicated dressing rooms for each of the four teams. Currently this room has old carpet that needs replacing with new durable rubber flooring for a cost of $20,000.

An additional new dressing room needs to be constructed.  City administration is considering adding a dressing room area in the north-west lower concourse area outside the Windsor Express coach’s office, but a full analysis is still required. If this space is developed, it could also be used as a dressing room for the Windsor Express during basketball games. Total cost is estimated at $165,000.

Another $60,000 is being proposed to make changes to the parking lot flow with an additional right entrance into the WFCU Centre general parking lot being added, as well as an additional exit (right turn only) onto McHugh Street. A right exit only would be added from the VIP parking lot to Mickey Renaud Way to help vacate the parking lot after an event.

The arena also requires painting and that is estimated to cost $75,000.

City Council gets the final say at their meeting on October 3rd.