ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE MOOSE JAW MULTIPLEX?

The Multiplex project will create places where our community comes together for fitness and fun — facilities that are good for our residents, our community and our economy.

The “multiplex” design means the facilities will be flexible for a wide variety of uses — recreation and sports; concerts and entertainment; large-scale tournaments, trade shows and conventions; community gatherings; many different fitness activities — and accessible to all Moose Jaw residents.

Planning for the Multiplex project began in 2004, led by a group of Moose Jaw residents eager to make Moose Jaw a great place in which to live, raise families and conduct business.

The Multiplex project will become the “recreational heart” of Moose Jaw, bringing people and our community together.

WHAT FACILITIES WILL BE INCLUDED?

The Multiplex project will have two city facilities.

THE DOWNTOWN FACILITY

A MULTIPURPOSE ARENA,with seating for 4,500 spectators, that will be the new home of the Moose Jaw Warriors and a prime hockey venue for the region’s 2,000+ players. The arena can also be used for off-ice events such as concerts seating up to 6,000 people, trade shows, agricultural and industrial exhibitions, and conventions
A CURLING RINK with eight sheets of bonspiel-standard ice for the city’s 500 curlers, and a space also adaptable for other uses such as trade shows

The Hamilton Flats facility

(site of the 2005 Canada Summer Games soccer fields)

INDOOR SOCCER/FIELD HOUSE with four mini pitches to serve the community’s 1,300 players, and also including an indoor walking track, sports conditioning facilities and fitness activities. This venue will also accommodate service club activities, trade shows and conventions.

WHY THESE 2 LOCATIONS?

The downtown location for the arena and rink offers convenient access via public transit and parking. This is important for seniors and teens who rely on public transit for daytime trips. The location choice is based on
contemporary urban designs applied to the construction of similar facilities

in most major centres. It limits the urban footprint, revitalizes areas in need of redevelopment and has the greatest economic potential.

Hamilton Flats is ideal for the soccer/field house facility. It will complement the existing soccer and softball fields by providing additional services to the recreational area.

WHY DO WE NEED THE MULTIPLEX?

We currently have a recreation space deficit. Our venues are simply inadequate for the city we have today, and nowhere near what we need for the city we plan to be tomorrow.

The Multiplex facilities are urgently needed for four key reasons:

We need to replace worn-out facilities that are expensive to operate, have limited uses and don’t meet our community’s growing needs — and this includes providing WHL-standard space to keep the Warriors in Moose Jaw
Health and wellness is important to all members of our community — especially children, youth, families and seniors — and we need venues that enable people to get active, get fit and stay healthy the Multiplex facilities will help build our economy by
encouraging our youth and families to stay in Moose Jaw, where they have access to great facilities, and attracting more residents and businesses to the community — adding to our tax base. Just as the investment in Temple Gardens Mineral Spa did years
ago, the Multiplex will spur further business development. And the Multiplex will also be a prime venue for large-size entertainment events, trade shows and tournaments that will bring in new people and new revenue
The Multiplex facilities will strengthen our community, bringing people together to share in events and activities, creating strong social bonds

WHAT DO MOOSE JAW RESIDENTS SAY ABOUT A NEW MULTIPLEX?

In a 2006 plebiscite, Moose Jaw residents voted overwhelmingly — over 70% — to support a new Multiplex.

Since that time, the project has been expanded to more fully address growing community needs.

A second plebiscite will be held on February 25, 2009, to gauge community support for the new Multiplex project.

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