Dundas Grightmire Arena's construction schedule not updated
City anticipated update on Thursday, Oct. 4
City staff did not get an anticipated update, originally expected by Thursday, Oct. 4, from contractor Century Group on how it will deal with delayed completion of the J.L. Grightmire Arena expansion and renovation.
The project is now more than one month past its original Sept. 7 deadline, with no solid target date for completion. User groups, including Dundas Minor Hockey, Dundas Blues Hockey Club and Dundas Real McCoys have all been forced to practice and play out of other arenas across the city to begin a second straight season out of Grightmire.
In a written update to city councillors on Sept. 25, staff stated it anticipated an updated construction schedule from the contractor by Thursday, Oct. 4, outlining plans to address outstanding hook-ups for sewer, water and gas; replacement of sprinker systems, parking lot paving, installation of exterior brick on the addition, completion of glass windows and glass curtain walls, mechanical and electrical fixtures, site grading, concrete curb installation, painting and finishes.
But city spokeswoman Jasmine Graham stated in an email that update was not available as of mid-day on Friday, Oct. 5.
"Unfortunately, we won’t have any new information we can share about Grightmire today," Graham said.
She said the most up-to-date information is included in the Sept. 25 update to council.
Blues president Steve Aglor said Thursday he is hauling team equipment to three different ice surfaces while the club is without a permanent home with storage. The team, now playing under the name Hamilton Huskies Junior Blues under a partnership with the minor hockey organization, had its home games moved from Westoby Ice Surface in Dundas to Chedoke Arena on Hamilton mountain - six games into the regular season, due to scheduling conflicts.
The relocation of Dundas teams to start a second season also impacts scheduling for other ice user groups across Hamilton.
In its first "home" game at Chedoke Arena, Thursday, Oct. 4, the Blues fell 5-3 to Port Dover to drop their early regular season record to four wins and three losses. The Blues play four straight games at Chedoke starting Thursday, Oct. 11 against Hagersville and continuing Sunday, Oct. 14 against Niagara; Thursday, Oct. 18 against Grimsby and Thursday, Oct. 25 against Dunnville. All games start at 7 p.m.