Building for the Future

Expanding current facilities rather than adding new sheets of ice elsewhere is the best option for a number of reasons. The central location of Calgary Centennial Arenas provides convenient access from all areas of the City and offers expansion possibilities without the need for expensive additional land acquisition.

For many people in Calgary, ice-related activities play a major role in health, community activity and spirit. Calgary Centennial Arenas has long been a major player in these activities in Calgary South and surrounding areas.

However, the needs of Calgarians for ice and floor time are not being met. The demand for modern centrally-located facilities is high and will increase in the coming years. In the face of these realities, the issue of how best to meet current and future needs has been carefully studied.

As a result of extensive and collaborative community information and opinion gathering, the South West Arena Society will undertake a renovation and expansion program. This project is designed to capitalize on the efficiencies of a single central location offering new athletic and tourism opportunities to a wide-ranging audience.

An additional benefit of expanding at the present location is its proximity to downtown, where many adult recreational players work. Further, a number of sports schools, and public and private schools with hockey and sports activities are situated nearby. As a result, CCA is experiencing growing demand from adult leagues and schools for weekday time slots between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The ability to market these non-prime time opportunities provides CCA with a significant advantage.

The proposed expansion will take place on the east side of the existing facility on what is currently the parking lot. Access will continue to be from 22^nd Street and 47^th Avenue S.W.

In the face of increasing demand for our services, Calgary Centennial Arenas must respond to the needs of the community or run the risk of young people and families simply abandoning these activities. The expansion project encompassed two additional rinks but a combination of run-away construction costs and reduced access to funding has necessitated a split of the expansion project into phases. The third and fourth rinks will be pursued sequentially, initially focusing resources on the third rink to ensure at least one new rink is in service shortly. The fourth rink is not being abandoned, it remains a part of the expansion project and will be pursued as resources permit. The third rink highlights are:

• New NHL size ice surface (85' x 200')
• Six additional dressing rooms
  - four regular dressing rooms
  - one flex dressing room for mixed gender teams
  - one officials dressing room
• Second level viewing and seating for approximately 200
• New concession and pro-shop
• Design will enable the addition of a fourth rink in the future

Parks Foundation Calgary is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Calgarians through the creation of parks, the preservation of river valleys and the support of amateur sport.