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The City of Prince Albert is proceeding with the next steps in the development of the Arena and Aquatics Recreation Centre with reports from Administration to be considered at the City Council meeting on Monday, May 3, 2021. The reports recommend the approval of the Architects for the detailed design of the large 4500 seat Arena Event Centre and the purchase of another seven (7) acres of land for additional parking on the site.
The conceptual design for the twin arenas and aquatics facilities was approved by City Council in March finalizing key design elements needed to move forward with the detailed design stage. Approval of the recommendations Monday will allow the large arena project to proceed alongside the development of the twin arenas and aquatics project.
"Once approved we can discuss the project as a whole rather than each element in isolation with both Architect firms working collaboratively to move the project forward," said Mayor Greg Dionne. "With detailed design happening on the same schedule, we can be sure the space is designed with the ultimate vision in mind."
The recommended architects for the 4500 seat Arena and Event Centre is BBB and KSA Architects out of Toronto and Saskatoon. This firm had the most extensive experience with NHL sized arenas and is well known for their multi-use spectator arena designs which include Budweiser Gardens in London, Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and Rogers Arena in Vancouver. With more than 30 years of experience in sports, recreation and spectator facilities they are able to bring together aesthetics with high-performance functionality within their designs.
The land purchase will allow for a minimum of 1214 parking stalls to serve all phases of the project including the twin arenas, aquatics and large arena. The additional land will also allow the facility to be positioned on the north east side of the parcel with the entrance facing highway 3, providing for a more impressive presentation of the facility.
"For the past three years I have been at the majority of Raider games speaking with people attending the games and overwhelmingly what I heard was the need for more parking. Expanded space for parking is an important component of the project," said Mayor Dionne. "We are also sensitive to the issue of access in-and-out of the facility and this will be a top consideration as we head into detailed design with both architect firms."
The cost of the land purchase is $2.537 million or $362,500/acre which is below market value compared to a recent commercial land sale in the area. These costs will be funded through the City’s Civic Facilities Reserve.
The large Arena and Event Centre has been under consideration as part of the project from the outset, although it will not be part of the funding received from the Federal and Provincial government through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The large arena will be funded by the City of Prince Albert. A fundraising goal has been established by the fundraising committee for the large arena which may be revised as the final cost of the facility is established through the detailed design.
With the new land acquisition, the entire complex will be situated on 25 acres of an 80 acre parcel being developed as a commercial hub by locally owned Signature Development Corporation. The location was selected because of its potential for future development and taxation revenue opportunities as complimentary businesses locate in the area to serve residents and visitors that attend for events and tournaments.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Mayor Greg Dionne
(306) 953-4300
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