City Council to consider selling Si Miller Arena

City council will receive a report on Monday night that discusses a number of options for the future of the Si Miller Arena.

PHOTO CREDIT - QMJHL Arena Guide

Cornwall - Feb. 27, 2011 - The fate of the Si Miller Arena could be decided on Monday night as city council considers the possibility of selling or demolishing the aged downtown rink.

The aging Si Miller and Bob Turner arenas are set to be replaced by the new Benson Centre, and as such, the city must now come up with a plan for the two old buildings.

In the case of the Si, city staff is recommending that the building be offered up for sale “as is,” subject to time and demolition conditions to secure the city’s interests. City staff also recommends that they continue to develop a standard demolition tender and budget accordingly while the sale offer is being issued and the responses - if any - are considered.

If a decision is made by council, it could represent the first step in the eventual redevelopment of the Si Miller property, which includes parking areas to the west and north of the arena as well as the vacant Glen Theatre building behind the arena. There are also a few neighbouring properties that are vacant, including an old warehouse and the old curling club on Amelia Street and the old radio station office to the east of the arena.

A newly-completed development study report for the Si Miller Arena property outlines a variety of potential redevelopment scenarios for the site. The scenarios suggest the property could contain a mix of multi-residential buildings (such as condos or a retirement home) as well as a mixed-use building containing commercial and office space as well as residential units.

The staff report on the Si Miller Arena can be seen by clicking here , while the development study for the property can be found here.

The fate of the Bob Turner area will likely be decided in 2012.