COLD LAKE – Fans at the Imperial Oil Place Arena will notice a big change when the winter season gets underway - the view of the ice just got a whole lot clearer.
New eight-foot tempered glass panels have been installed around the rink, replacing the older five and seven-foot sections. The upgrade means the side safety netting, which often obstructed the view, has now been removed, according to the City of Cold Lake.
“We wanted to make a better viewing experience,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “With the higher glass, we’re able to remove the side netting that people in the stands would have had to watch through.”
According to Todd Worthington, parks manager, “This was a standalone project for the Imperial Oil Place Arena at a cost of $67,930, which was approved in the 2025 capital budget process by council." He added, “Signs are being posted to remind spectators to be aware of any potential risks with the netting removed.”
With the netting gone, officials are reminding fans to stay alert during play.
“With the netting removed from the sides of the rink surface, people should be aware and remain vigilant for pucks leaving the ice surface and coming into the spectator seating,” said Copeland. “It was always a risk, even with the netting, but people have been asking about removing the netting for years for a better view of the rink, and extending the glass finally gives us the opportunity to do just that.”
The panels, installed by Omnisport at the end of July, still require a few custom pieces, which are expected to arrive within the next couple of weeks. Additional signage will also be in place before the skating season begins.
“It’s a great way to kick off the skating season,” Copeland added. “We’re all looking forward to watching some great events this winter.”
LiveBarn
The City of Cold Lake has also announced that LiveBarn, a subscription-based sports streaming service, is now available at the Energy Centre, giving fans a way to watch events from home or on the go.
Not all arena activities will be available, and may be cast in “Private Mode,” which requires an additional access code on top of the subscription fee.
“Some events, like closed try-outs, or large, ticketed events, may fall under the Private Mode category, where the broadcast isn’t available or needs a special code,” said mayor Copeland.
Viewing can be accessed through the LiveBarn app, available in various app stores, or on the LiveBarn tvOS or AppleTV.
