Outside firms bid to build Sudbury's new arena, some in partnership with local architects

It's a project Greater Sudbury city council has talked about for decades, and so naturally, local architects have been imagining what a new arena or event centre could look like for a long time. 

While no local names appeared on the city's recent list of bids submitted for the architectural design of the $200-million project, some Sudbury firms say that doesn't necessarily mean they won't be involved. 

At least two say they've had to partner up with larger, outside firms to qualify for the proposal stage.

"To be in a position to win the project you had to demonstrate that you've done three arena projects of similar size and complexity," said Tim James of 3rdLine Studio.

"There aren't any Sudbury based architectural firms that have that kind of layer of experience." 

3rdLine Studio partnered with Toronto's Perkins + Will for their bid. They partnered with that firm for past downtown projects like the YMCA and federal government buildings.

"Our approach has always been to split the project 50/50," said James. 

One of Sudbury's oldest architecture firms, Bélanger Salach Architecture, has employed a similar strategy for its bid. 

If selected for the project, the company would also be dividing the work equally with U.S. corporation, Populous. 

Architect Amber Salach says this is an efficient way to do it  — one partner with local expertise and boots on the ground, and the other with international experience and expertise in arenas.

"I think most firms are feeling this is the best approach to bring this project to life," she said. 

Both say being selected to design the new arena would be the project of a lifetime. 

"We're very excited about the momentum it's gained in the past few months, with the purchasing of properties and the revitalization of the downtown master plan," said Salach. 

As for James, he says the project almost feels personal for Sudbury's architects.