A change in management and a change to some of the ways they do business, helped to make 2017 a positive year for the Downtown Facility and FieldHouse.

Newly hired general manager Graham Edge is reporting a solid year for events and financially after several years of turmoil. "Operations in 2017... we had a really good year and we were able to do something that has every happened before, we came in under budget."

According to their audit, the DFFH posted a $184,000 surplus for 2017 after years of posting deficits. They received $537,000 from the city for an operating grant last year, not including the contribution to an equipment reserve, with their grant for 2018 being trimmed to $482,000.  Coming in under budget on their expenses for the biggest factor for not using the entire grant in 2017.

"Through fiscally responsible management and a cleaning operation team that can tackle any problem through at them, we had out best year yet. With strict and precise guidelines, we've managed to keep our buildings in like new condition."

Edge has only been in the role for a couple of months now but says the facilities under his care are on a good path, even receiving a glowing review for energy efficiency, saying they finished at the top of a recent energy assessment.

"ICF Canada recently completed an energy assessment at both buildings and we came in at the top of the charts." explained Edge. "Even with us setting the bar extremely high, we're always looking for ways to improve, going forward."

Edge says they'll watch the market closely for any new energy efficiency technology that comes out to try and make their operations better.