Judo building on the block; club moving to Field House

Last September, city council approved plans to sell the judo building on First Street West and make it available to a purchaser by this fall. The decision was the result of the City’s facilities review, in which it identified the judo building as one in need of structural improvements in the future.

Since the City would be responsible for funding the upgrades, there was discussion at council level about whether this was an investment the City should make. As well, they looked at the value of the upgrades and the possibility that they would exceed the dollar value of the current building.

When it comes to the future of the judo club building, it will now be listed.

The City had looked into the possibility of renovating the judo building and repurposing it. But the City determined that wouldn’t be feasible or required, Boulet said.

“As we look across the entire network of our facilities, we’re trying to, in some cases, reduce that inventory where it made sense,” he said. When the City started weighing the factors involved, council directed administration to sell the property.

Right now, the City is looking at housing the club in one of two multipurpose rooms on the second floor. The City is looking at putting together an agreement with the club for leasing space in the Field House. From there, once the agreement is reviewed and agreed to by the judo club, the community services department will send a recommendation to council for approval.

Both sides had to overcome some of the challenges associated with planning the move. Boulet said one of the club’s concerns was about matching the square footage available in their current building.

He said this is something that’s difficult to do in any of the City’s facilities.

“There was some room there that we had to move and that the judo club had to move on as far as the square footage they currently use in comparison to what’s going to be available at the Field House, at least for their local program.”

But when it comes to attracting events and hosting camps, there are larger spaces in the Field House the City will be looking to use.

The judo club’s move may be a step towards changing the “soccer centre” image of the Field House.

Boulet said this would be a step in this direction – the intent of the Field House is for it to be a multi-purpose facility. The Prince Albert Youth Soccer Club is a great tenant, he added, and soccer is one of the main uses of the building.

“However, we do want to continue to promote the other uses that are available in it. Introducing the sport of judo to the building, I think is a step in the right direction.”

Yet, there’s also the possibility of future opportunities to draw other clubs to make the Alfred Jenkins Field House their home. Boulet said the City is open to the idea of having other clubs operate out of the building.

“This one however because it was more an immediate priority, and that lined up at the Field House, we are going to make some adjustments just to some of our programming schedules and some of the ways slightly that we make business there in order to have a larger net benefit to having the judo club moving over.”

With the move to the Field House, the City will now be able to focus the opportunities this will bring in the future.

“I’m pleased that we’re on this end of the process now because it’s certainly, I think, going to open up some positive opportunities.”

tjames@panow.com

On Twitter: @thiajames

by Thia James

Judo building on the block; club moving to Field House

What's Trending