Dartmouth Sportsplex to close for renovations until fall 2018

The Dartmouth Sportsplex will be shut down for 16 months toundergoa $23million retrofit.

The facilityis set to close in June 2017 and reopen in the early fall of 2018.

Sportsplex officials tried to do the work in phases and keep the facility open, but decided it just was not possible.

"We couldn't compromise the safety of the staff or the public," said Brad Smith, the facility'schairman of the board."We're going to go through a lot of pain, but it will be worth it."

What's changing

Only the rink will remain open because it has separate entrances and its own washrooms.But even the arena will be limited to ice rentals.Large events will not be allowed.

After the construction is completed, the Sportsplex will have a new swimming pool with a splash pad, slides and an accessible whirlpool. There will no longer be a sauna or steam room.

A double-court gymnasium will be built where the building's common room now exists and a glassed-in fitness centre will overlook the harbour.

The racquet ball and squash courts will be refurbished and the front desk will be relocated to the parking lotentrance at the back of the building.

New look, more outreach

The new look is needed because, according to officials, the membership of the Sportsplex has declined by 30 per cent over the past four years.

The facility's general manager says there are plans to do a lot more outreach.

'We have a number of things we want to try," said Max Chauvin. "Some fitness classes for a dollar or a donation, free play time for families and we want to create a youth night."