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City Council reviews arena seating capacity scenarios for Airdrie’s future SW Recreation Centre

Feb. 5, 2023 – For immediate release

City Council reviews arena seating capacity scenarios for Airdrie’s future SW Recreation Centre

AIRDRIE, ALBERTA – On Feb. 5, Council reviewed the recommendations and implications of arena seating capacity scenarios for phase II of the SW Recreation Centre in preparation for site master planning.

“It is important that we have this information and analysis so we can balance the immediate needs of the community with opportunities to grow our visitor economy” says Mayor Peter Brown.

The Airdrie Arena Analysis report compares an arena capable of hosting tournaments and major competitions with expanded spectator seating to a community focused arena. “We can confirm that the phase II arena will have twin ice sheets,” says Brad Anderson, Manager, Recreation. “As we begin the site master planning, we’re also looking at the impact of scaling one rink to be slightly larger to serve the community’s needs while hosting tournaments, competitions and events. The impacts of this potential option include the benefits of an added visitor economy, as well as construction and operating affordability, parking and traffic considerations and the overall size of the new centre.”

The report provides information on the benefits and impacts of both options as detailed below:

Seating optionBenefitsImpacts
Expanded spectator seating (1500-2500 seats)
  • Provides opportunities for hosting tournaments, competitions and events
  • Attracts visitor economy and creates additional jobs
  • This option may reduce community ice availability by up to 25 per cent, providing 1.75 sheets of ice for community use rather than two
  • Requires larger parking areas with increased traffic
  • Additional construction and operating costs
  • Requires a larger footprint, decreasing the space available for the amenities included in future phasing
Community use focused arena (~500 seats)
  • Provides two sheets of ice for user group and community use
  • A decrease in economic benefits directly tied to visitor economy

 While phase II of the SW Recreation Centre is not set to begin construction until 2028-2029, information regarding its future footprint is required for facility planning and design prior to construction of the centre’s first phase. Phase I of the new Recreation Centre, which will include a pool, fitness centre and potential gymnasium and family play areas, is expected to open in late 2026 – early 2027, with fieldhouse spaces being addressed in phase III construction. Further information on the SW Recreation Centre can be found at airdrie.ca/newrecreationcentre.

Media contact:
Brad Anderson
Manager, Recreation
403.948.8800 ext: 5506
Brad.Anderson@airdrie.ca