Plans for a revitalized Suncor Agora stage will be presented to council as early as November.
“We haven't confirmed this yet but that's our goal to bring this back to council in November, with a presentation from our consultant,” says facilities manager Tom Burnard.
At a city council meeting back in June, council voted 7-1 in favour of spending $25,000 from the Suncor Agora reserve on design work to address concerns. Now Burnard says they are ready to start showing groups who utilize the space the plans so that any adjustments can be made before presenting it to council.
“Initial concept plans have been received from our architects, Tillmann Ruth Robinson. And city staff will be reaching out to key stakeholders along with user groups of the facility over the next few weeks for their input. There will also be opportunities for public input throughout the process as well,” says Burnard.
The stage area at Centennial Park has caused issues since 2017. Lack of seating, lack of shade, the positioning of the stage in relation to the setting sun, are all issues various people have had with the performance space over the years.
“The condition of the existing facility was in the original motion because it's in need of significant repairs. So the new design plan is taking all that into consideration,” says Burnard.
“Typically in the past with any plans it's presented right at council on the screen so the public is seeing it. Yeah it's kind of a first display and then council decides what the next steps are.”
Burnard says it's hard to put a completion date on the project.
“It really drives off of what council's direction will be, if it's you know, keep moving forward with this then we'll go into the construction drawings for the project and start getting high-level costs associated with the project, and there’s no real time line on that,” explains Burnard.
Burnard is hopeful that the plans will be well received but there is always the chance council could ask for revisions, also elongating the timeline.
“They could ask for additional items to be added to it, items taken away, they ultimately have the final say. But we want to come to them with the most information from those who use the facility and what makes the most sense from the public so we're hoping what we do take to them in November is great and well received and hopefully we can move forward with it sooner than later.”