The Ontario Speed Skating Oval
About
Impact of the Oval
The Oval will be a primary winter tourist destination. The resulting economic impact will be important to local area businesses during the winter and shoulder tourist seasons. The overall community will benefit from increased access to quality recreation, sports and cultural activities, which will significantly contribute to healthier active Ontarians.
Opportunities for skill development, employment, and volunteering will be accessible for all including disadvantaged groups and will promote, health, self-esteem, and well being for the whole community.
New development will be stimulated by the Oval, following the lead already taken by the municipality’s innovative planning strategies. The Oval Project will provide an important boost to what is called the Lakefield South Development, and has already created a bold and unique partnership with both local school boards to use efficient geothermal technology to provide heat energy, which will result in reduced annual operating costs for two local schools. This cutting edge technology will pave the way for Lakefield to develop a sustainable community using local resources to provide district energy to area homes and businesses. There are few such communities in Canada however it is anticipated that many more will be developed in the next ten to twenty years.
Various Oval Committees and Partners, as well as countless volunteers have worked hard to make the dream of the Oval come true. The Oval Project is the proud result of a good idea combined with the support of a small and hard working community.
Helping Environment
The Oval will help the outlying area by recycling the waste heat created from cooling the ice to provide heat to nearby schools and residences through an innovative geothermal temperature control system. This system coupled with a proposed 1900 home development around the Oval will stimulate economic growth in the area.
[ The Oval and it's Economic and Environmental Imact (MS Powerpoint) ]
FAQ
Q: What is the Ontario Speed Skating Oval?
Q: What types of facilities will the Oval feature?
Q: What is the Ice Kube Geothermal Ice Plant?
Q: Who will manage the Oval Project?
Q: What are the sources of funding for the Oval project?
Q: Who will benefit from the Oval Project?
Q: How will these individuals benefit?
What is the Ontario Speed Skating Oval?
The Ontario Speed Skating Oval (OSSO) is a non-profit organization mandated to build Ontario’s first 400m temperature controlled, outdoor speed skating oval with an adjacent multi-purpose community building.
It will be only the third temperature controlled long track facility in Canada with the other two sites being in St. Foy Quebec, and Calgary Alberta.
The Oval will become the home of speed skating in Ontario with the Ontario Speed Skating Association (OSSA) moving their offices to the oval once constructed (OSSA has currently moved their offices to Lakefield). Speed Skating Canada will also recognize the Oval as a Regional Training and Development Centre which will be used to help Canada’s athletes achieve their goals for Vancouver 2010 and beyond.
What types of facilities will the Oval feature?
The Oval will feature:
- 400m temperature controlled concrete pad oval
- Lighted multi-sport/activity playing area
- A 12,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose community building that houses an entrance lobby with concessions and reception areas
- Washrooms, showers and changing room
- Fitness club with aerobics, training and weight rooms
- Pro Shop
- Offices for the OSSA and OSSO
- Scalable multi-use conference room with up to 250 person capacity
What is the Ice Kube Geothermal Ice Plant?
The Ice Kube system is an innovative and cost effective technology employing the combination of heat exchangers and heat pumps to create a large ice area of better quality at a lower cost than traditional methods. It eliminates environmental hazards common with traditional refrigeration systems. It uses natural ground source energy making productive use of the ‘waste’ heat energy that is a by-product of creating the ice. A ‘water to water heat pump system’ will supply an enormous supply of hot water, a reliable heat source for the adjoining Oval buildings as well as two local schools.
Two local school boards have formed a unique partnership with the Oval to purchase the ‘excess heat’ as an environmentally friendlier and cost-effective alternative than the current source.
Who will manage the Oval Project?
The Ontario Speed Skating Oval is a non-profit, registered charitable organization that is run by a board of directors. The board of the Corporation is comprised of one representative from each of the following organizations: OSSA, BEL Rotary, CMHA- Peterborough, SEL Township, Kawartha Lakes Chamber of Commerce, and community volunteers. The board of directors will be responsible for the general operation of the multi-use facility.
What are the sources of funding for the Oval project?
OSSO is committed to operating the Oval facility on a slightly better than break-even basis. There will be no long-term debt, a result of successful government, private sector, and community fundraising.
Sources of Funding:
- Federal Government through CFDC/Industry Canada
- Ontario Government
- Municipal Government – Township Smith Ennismore Lakefield
- Regional Government – Peterborough County, City of Peterborough
- Financial Services Sector – RBC Royal Bank, CIBC
- Local Businesses and Corporate Community – including $100,000 from SGS Lakefield Research
Who will benefit from the Oval Project?
There are so many areas of reach for the Project that many groups will benefit including:
- speed skating community throughout Ontario & Eastern Canada
- families & children
- seniors
- students – elementary, secondary, university & college
- regional businesses
- community groups
- all levels of government
- Oval Partners – OSSA, BEL Rotary, CMHA
- Community Donations
How will these individuals benefit?
Each of the stakeholders will benefit from having a world-class facility for youth, family, school, competitive and recreational programs as well as community events. International event hosting will provide valuable experience for athletes, coaches and officials along with access to resources currently not available. Being fully accessible to those living with disabilities, all residents in the Community will benefit from a facility that promotes healthy lifestyle activities and creates quality recreational, sport and cultural opportunities currently not available in this rural Community.
There will be enormous benefits to be realized resulting from the creation of a public facility that demonstrates environmentally responsible and economically efficient stewardship of community resources. Businesses too, will benefit from increased tourism, critically important to sustain the local economy in the winter and shoulder tourism seasons.
The Oval will be an economic hub stimulating job creation and business expansion. The Oval is a clear example of good planning resulting in value for investment of private and public funds and is a result of public consultations with key stakeholders. The guiding principles are; economic viability, best return on investment, and maximum benefit for the public.
Highlights
Highlights of Ontario Speed Skating Oval:
- 400 metre Olympic size temperature controlled skating surface
- Designated by Speed Skating Canada as Regions Training Centre for National Team Development serving Ontario and Eastern Canada
- Year round facility for broad range of programs and activities – speed skating, in-line skating, X-country skiing, cycling, fitness programs, field sports and other community initiatives
- Meeting room and banquet facility - overlooks Oval and field area – Perfect for weddings, dinners, special events, meetings, seminars etc.
- $12 million construction project
- Geothermal Ice Plant System will be used to heat and cool 2 area schools, Oval facilities and potentially 2000 area homes
- Significant Economic Impact for local area and region
- 80,000 athlete and participant visits to facility annually
- 80,000 additional spectator visits to facility annually
- "Anchor to Winter Recreation in the Kawarthas"
- Attract International, national, and provincial visitors to the Lakefield and Peterborough area, the province of Ontario and Canada
- $14+ million to local area economy by new tourism – annually
- Guiding Principles: economic viability, best return on investment, maximum benefit for the public.