loader image

About

History and purpose of the project

The City awarded the non-profit organization Vision Multisports Outaouais (VMSO) the construction and management of a 4,000-seat arena, including three community ice rinks.

All contracts for the construction of the arena were publicly tendered, ensuring transparency and good stewardship of public funds.

With the opening of the Centre, citizens have four brand new arenas at their disposal with 7,700 hours of ice time per year. These hours are distributed to the various sports associations and are also used for various free activities offered by Gatineau’s recreation department.
The Gatineau Olympiques major junior field hockey club will be able to call the new center home. This club is a source of pride for the citizens of Gatineau.
The choice of the Cité site will strengthen the synergy created by the grouping of sports, recreational and cultural infrastructures.

The costs were divided among the three partners:
– VMSO: $16 million
– Loan from Investissement Québec to VMSO: $21 million
– Government of Quebec: $26.5 million
– City of Gatineau: $37.9 million

The business model is based on the signing of a 25-year emphyteutic lease. The building will be transferred to the City at the end of the lease.

The City will save a minimum of $33 million in operating costs over the 25-year period. VMSO will also invest in the building’s life-cycle reserve with a $350,000 annual mark-up. VMSO assumes any risk of construction cost overruns or operating deficits, should they occur.

This project brings a number of positive benefits to the City of Gatineau, including
– A superior infrastructure
– The use of four ice surfaces by the community
– An improved level of service
– Guarantees for Gatineau taxpayers
– Capped construction costs
– Competitive bidding for all public funds
– Transparent, open-book management
– Operating cost savings of $33 million over 25 years
– A solution to keep the Olympics in Gatineau
– Synergy created by the grouping of cultural and recreational infrastructures
– Attractiveness for major sports and cultural events
– An opportunity to enhance an existing public square

Vision Multisports Outaouais Inc. is a non-profit organization (NPO) born from the vision of three individuals in March 2006: Alain Sanscartier, Robert P. Racicot, and Alain Brisson, and was incorporated on July 9, 2008.

Source

The goal is to enhance the involvement of young people in today’s society through participation in sports activities at all levels. Initially, the plan was to promote ice sports across all categories (hockey, ringette, figure skating, speed skating, and others). Our original project was expanded to include an indoor synthetic surface, which will allow for year-round use of space for soccer, football, and all related sports.

The need is great; there is no facility bringing all of these sports together under one roof in Outaouais. In terms of youth, school dropout is a major issue for society; such a facility will help combat this problem and make our youth better citizens who will contribute to the growth of our city, province, and country. The availability of this facility, located near one of the largest high schools in Quebec, which also has a sports-study program, will double the school clientele at this level and, in turn, ensure maximum use of our equipment. Vision Multisports Outaouais Inc. will have created a major center serving a regional population of over 300,000 people. Support from municipal and educational authorities is secured, and this project is strongly encouraged by the community.

In 2021, the organization will add a second major project with the construction and opening of the Slush Puppie Centre.

The non-profit organization, whose bylaws are available upon request, is structured to ensure continuity without the possibility of control being taken over by a group with personal interests. Vision Multisports Outaouais Inc… A community project for the community!

Alain Gagné

General Manager

VMSO

Nicolas Patry-Pilon

Director of costumer relations

VMSO

Olivier Haché

Director of costumer service

VMSO

Pauline Kimberly

Administrative services manager

VMSO

Partners

Presentator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator

OUR SERVICES

Discover the various services offered inside the Slush Puppie Center.

alex_Interior-09_00015-min
Etage 1 - CLIC8091AG

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY

There are many opportunities to advertise at the Slush Puppie Centre to promote your business to the estimated 1.1 million annual visitors. Please see the sales document for more information and contact Mr. Dan Brunet to create the agreement for your display at the Slush Puppie Centre.