The Cold Lake Energy Centre is continuing to expand the possibilities.
The City of Cold Lake thinks they have checked off all the boxes with the expansion to the Cold Lake Energy Centre.
A full ice surface, mini-stick rink, additional meeting space, a climbing wall, and lounge have been added to the already existing facility.
Mayor Craig Copeland eyes up the climbing wall added to the Cold Lake Energy Centre through the most recent expansion.
Mayor Craig Copeland believes the public will be in shock of the size, space, and features.
“I don’t think people expect this,” he said.
Construction on the expansion started just shy of two years ago. The new arena mirrors Imperial Oil Place, with both rinks easily accessible from all three levels.
According to CAO Kevin Nagoya, the project met the deadline and $23-million budget.
“There’s not a stitch of anybody’s money in this arena except the City of Cold Lake’s. There isn’t any federal or provincial funding in this project,” Copeland detailed.
When discussing the needs of the community, council factored in what was lacking from the current Energy Centre space. Meeting rooms, a tournament room, storage for minor hockey, and a locker room dedicated to the figure skating group were among the list of items.
City CAO Kevin Nagoya demonstrates the view of Imperial Oil Place from the lounge.
“The key was having everything built around having a second ice sheet. That was the primary mandate, and then we thought about what other things we can plug into this and what other needs we could meet of the community groups and everyone in the facility,” Nagoya explained.
Skaters will hit the ice for the first-time on Wednesday, and although there were still a few tweaks here and there, overall the space was ready for action.
Glenn Barnes, general manager of community services for the city, said they still haven’t installed the glass around the climbing wall, or the scoreboard.
“I think the community will really like this facility,” he added.
The rink is standard-size, however the boards are slightly higher than the average arena.
Barnes explained, “The boards are 48-inches high. It’s a little bit better for the adults when they’re playing.”
The city is hoping local organizations, such as minor hockey, will benefit from the lounge space.
Copeland said recreation has always been a priority for the city.
“The things that people don’t know, is the minor hockey stats are indicating 10 per cent growth every year. We have to invest in recreation. Our council is a big recreation council, and this is about making our community a place where you want to live and raise a family,” he said. “Arenas are sort of the historical places in a community.”
