Marc Berry, Assistant General Manager of the Virden Oil Capitals, attended the regular Town of Virden Council Meeting on July 11 as a delegation. His purpose was to bring councillors up to speed on efforts to locate a suitable replacement for the score clock, projectors and screens in the Tundra Oil & Gas Place arena. The new device would integrate several functions into a customizable display, rather than just show the hockey game data as at present. Berry advised council that he has received a quote for a 13 x 25” LED monitor and is looking into having the installation done by local electrical contractors. The estimated price tag for the upgrade, including a one-time software charge, is $200,000. Advertising may be sold for display on the screen to recoup revenue.
Berry proposes that the purchase be cost-shared by three major user groups who will benefit from the new equipment - the Oil Capitals, Virden Minor Hockey and Virden Indoor Rodeo & Wild West Daze. The Oil Capitals are looking at a 25% share, while no dollar commitments have yet been received from minor hockey or the rodeo organization. Each has backed the proposal, and Berry felt that their money could be put in place without significant fundraising initiatives being needed.
Following his presentation, councillors questioned Berry about responsibility for ongoing maintenance and repairs outside of the one-year warranty period. They also asked about the unit’s durability and whether it would be vulnerable to damage from wayward hockey pucks. Berry shared what details he had, noting that should a panel be hit by a puck it could be replaced individually and would not necessarily render the entire display inoperable. Coun. Tara Maxwell wondered if the equipment would remain functional over the long-term or require ongoing replacement to keep pace with technology.
Couns. Travis Penner and Bruce Dunning noted that the Town has included $50,000 in this year’s Financial Plan towards the score clock replacement, with the expectation that the remainder, approximately $150,000, would come from outside sources. Penner asked if any such equipment would be available for sale from a facility that is looking to upgrade or if it could be rented or leased to assess its suitability. Berry responded that he reached out to the Centennial Cup Host Committee in Portage La Prairie, only to be told that they had rented a similar unit for that specific event and then returned it to the vendor.
With Council’s support in principle, Berry will now proceed to pin down how much is to be contributed by each of the user groups who have expressed interest. Optimistically, he would like to see the new apparatus in place in time for the start of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League season in September.
MUSICAL RIDE SPONSORSHIP
The Town will provide a $1,000 sponsorship to the RCMP Musical Ride being co-hosted by the Virden Community Chamber of Commerce and the Virden Agricultural Society at the fairgrounds on July 25. The contribution will include the cost, if any, of adding the event to the Town’s liability insurance policy.
AIRPORT ENGINEERING
Council accepted a proposal from Dillon Consulting Ltd. to provide engineering services for the municipal airport expansion project at an estimated cost of $51,932. The company’s quote was the lowest of two received.
BUILDING EXPANSION STUDY
Council reviewed an offer from Emily Cochrane of LM Architectural Group of Winnipeg to conduct a building expansion study of the Town Civic Centre. The firm is currently assisting the Aud Theatre Board with its planned seat replacement project. Council decided that as the matter is not time-sensitive, they would seek further information and possibly a second quote.
GOLF TOURNAMENT SPONSORSHIP
The Town will provide a hole sponsorship, of $250, to the “Big 3” Fundraising Golf Tournament, at Virden Well View Golf Club on Aug. 11. The annual tournament is spearheaded by Virden’s three auto dealerships.
