Project Description

Constructed in 1959, the City of Fernie Memorial Area serves as the main centre for many ice teams and clubs, with subsequent additions of attached lounge areas, dressing rooms, and a Zamboni area upgrades over the years. It was understood that structural modifications had not been implemented since its original construction.

ISL was retained in 2018 when they were asked by the City of Fernie if a budget for the construction of repairs to the existing roof truss by others was reasonable; the budget given was nearly 2 million. Upon review of the proposed solution ISL saw significant room for efficiency in the opportunity for design efficiencies and cost savings.

Offering an alternative design by reducing steel connectors and utilizing more wood members would reduce the construction costs considerably. ISL developed an upgrade scheme which focused on using more wood, less steel, timber screws and more refined connection details.

This plan also addressed bringing the arena trussess’ structural capacity in conformance with current building codes, rather than the “code of the day” when the structure was last renovated.

ISL was able to help procure the construction phase, provide construction phase administration and review shop drawings on a very tight timeline using our contacts and expertise in the construction industry and location.

The resulting budget for the repairs of Fernie Memorial Arena was circa $500K and was completed with minimal disruption to day use of the arena. This was accomplished by the contractor working at night and having the City procure longer lead-time material directly prior to construction contracts being in place.