Discussions about upgrading this 15-year old scoreboard have resulted in good news for local hockey fans, as a state of the art version will be replacing it this summer. The municipal accommodations tax helped fund the purchase of the new board that will include an automated replay system and two pan-tilt-zoom cameras. Timmins Rock President Ted Gooch it will “enhance the fan experience.” Photo by Andrew Autio /The Daily Press
Automated replay system and two pan-tilt-zoom cameras among extra features
Andrew Autio
The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
Timmins Rock president Ted Gooch told the Daily Press that the team is very excited with a new development at The Mac.
“We’re thrilled to hear of the city’s announcement of the installation of a brand-new, state-of-the-art scoreboard at the McIntyre Arena,” he told The Daily Press on Wednesday.
“This exciting upgrade reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the fan experience. This new scoreboard will bring more energy, clarity, and excitement to every moment. We can’t wait for everyone to see it in action.”
Watching a game at the McIntyre Arena will have a much different look this upcoming season, with the brand new scoreboard system, which will be installed this summer.
At Tuesday’s Timmins city council meeting, city clerk Steph Palmateer read a resolution asking for support for the supply, delivery, and installation of a new four-sided video scoreboard, as well as the removal and disposal of the existing scoreboard which hangs from the rafters over centre ice at the historic facility.
Harris Time Inc, from Oakville, Ontario, was awarded the contract for the amount of $195,870 plus HST.
They were the lowest compliant bidder of the four received, coming in with a $181,950 quote. Palmateer explained the discrepancy in numbers.
“They had provided a couple of extra options. One of which would allow some extra features such as automated replay system, a replay controller, and two PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras, and a retrofit of the traditional scoreboard,” he said.
“With those additional costs, we’re still within the overall budget that was included in the 2025 budget for this item.”
Council had approved a $200,000 portion of the 2025 budget for a new scoreboard at “The Mac.” Due to malfunctions and the inability to purchase replacement parts for the existing scoreboard, as the company (VisionTime) no longer exists, the purchase of a new scoreboard was moved forward and budgeted for 2025.
Ward 3 Coun. Bill Gvozdanovic inquired if there was any NOHFC funding coming the city’s way relating to the new scoreboard.
“No, unfortunately this was not included in any of our funding applications,” replied Palmateer.
“Based on the types of applications, it didn’t really fit. We got funding for accessible upgrades, and things like that, but this one, we budgeted it straight-up.”
Gvozdanovic wondered why something like this wouldn’t meet the criteria.
“Sometimes, you can’t always package items in with your applications. All the components of an application need to tie together somehow. So we just weren’t able to do that with the scoreboard,” said Palmateer.
Mayor Michelle Boileau said although the scoreboard isn’t NOHFC funded, there has been previous action taken to cover some of the costs.
“Council did pass a resolution during the budget process period, to transfer some funds from the MAT(municipal accommodations tax) fund to go towards some of the renovations at the McIntyre Arena to help reduce any possible impact to the tax increase,” she said.
“So this item was considered when determining what amount we’d want to transfer from the MAT for this year.”
The resolution passed unanimously.
Dialogue surrounding a new scoreboard has been occurring for years now, as it is well over 15 years old, and there were a few technical issues with the current one throughout the hockey season.
“I’ve spoken with city management in the Parks and Recreation department with regards to a new scoreboard or the past few years. When the city added the small digital board along the bottom, I was part of the training and programming to use the board, and at that time expressed my desire to one day have a new scoreboard,” said Gooch.
“So to see this upgrade, which is well overdue, it couldn’t come at a better time. We’re super excited to see it in action and enhance the fan experience, providing in-game replays and sponsor advertisements through each of our home games this upcoming season.”
The project is expected to be completed by the end of August.
