What is included in Phase 1 of the ATB Centre?
- Total size: approximately 125,000 square-feet, which will include a 83,500-square-foot twin ice arena and a 42,000-square-foot, 10-sheet curling facility, plus a shared parking lot and landscaping
- Two NHL-sized ice surfaces
- Combined seating for a total of 900 spectators
- Change rooms, storage areas and referee rooms
- Food and beverage services
- Curling facility will include:
- 10 sheets of curling ice
- Change rooms
- Lounge
- Spectator seating
- These joint facilities will have a common entrance and will share mechanical areas, viewing areas, parking, food and beverage services, multi-purpose rooms, as well as an elevator. They were designed and are being built to accommodate Phase 2 elements of the Crossings Leisure Complex.
Where is it located?
The ATB Centre-Phase 1 ice complex is in the Crossings neighbourhood, at the corner of Britannia Boulevard West and Mauretania Road West (north of the Copperwood subdivision, immediately south of Chinook High School). Phase 2 is under construction and will adjoin the west side of Phase 1.
How was this location chosen?
The site for the ATB Centre was carefully chosen. A total of 14 sites throughout the city were reviewed and tested against a scoring matrix that took into account such things as land costs, proximity to amenities, proximity to schools, area zoning, site considerations and location development costs.
In 2010, the city proposed adding the new curling rink to the existing twin ice project to take full advantage of available Building Canada Fund grants.
Is replacing the existing curling facility a priority?
Yes. Replacement of the existing curling rink is identified as a priority in the current Capital Improvement Program. The existing curling facility is more than 60 years old. A 2005 Facility Condition Audit indicated failure of components in the curling facility is likely within the next 10 years. The capital cost to provide necessary upgrades would have been approximately $7 million.
How was Phase 1 of the project funded?
Project funding is as follows:
- $10m Building Canada Fund (Canada)
- $10m Building Canada Fund (Alberta)
- $15.8m Municipal Sustainability Initiative (Alberta)
- $5.1m Internal Borrowing
- $451k Pay as you Go program
Is this one project or two?
This project was originally approved by City Council as the Twin Ice Project. At the time the Capital Budget was approved, funding did not exist to include the curling rink in this project. When additional funding from the federal and provincial governments became available, City Council approved the Crossings Ice Complex, which added a 10-sheet curling facility to the twin Ice project. In July 2016, it was renamed the ATB Centre-Phase 1.
What is the Building Canada Fund (BCF)?
The Building Canada Fund was established by the Government of Canada under the 2007 Building Canada Plan. The fund addresses national, regional and local infrastructure priorities and supports projects designed to deliver results in three areas of national importance:
- a stronger economy;
- a cleaner environment; and
- strong and prosperous communities.
The Fund recognizes the unique infrastructure needs of Canada's smaller cities and focuses on projects that meet environmental, economic and quality of life objectives.
Originally a $1 billion fund, Canada's Economic Action Plan expanded the Communities Component fund with a top-up of $500 million.
Can municipalities use Building Canada Fund (BCF) dollars for anything?
No. The use of BCF funds are determined by Infrastructure Canada using pre determined criteria. In this case, the funds had to be used on a ‘shovel ready’ project where the eligible costs exceeded 30 Million. The City of Lethbridge proposed several different projects to Infrastructure Canada. The Crossings Ice Complex is the project that best met Infrastructure Canada’s criteria.
When was the project construction schedule?
Phase 1 construction began in the fall of 2013 and was completed in the early spring of 2016.
What will happen to the downtown Civic Ice Centre curling facility?
The Civic curling rink will close permanently in the Fall of 2016. This closure will coincide with the fall 2016 opening of the new 10-sheet curling facility within Phase 1 of the ATB Centre. By that time, the Civic curling space will be approaching 70 years of age and will be employed temporarily for municipal purposes until it is demolished sometime in the future.
Replacement of the Civic curling rink has been identified as a priority for several years within the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). A Facility Condition Audit in 2005 indicated failure of components in the Civic curling rink is likely within the following 10 years (by 2015). The capital cost to provide necessary upgrades would have been at least $7 million.
What will happen to the downtown Civic Ice Centre arena?
The Civic ice arena will continue to operate for at least the next 7 years and possibly longer. Under the current CIP, the earliest the replacement of the Civic ice arena is contemplated is in 2022.
Ultimately, the entire Civic Ice Centre is to be demolished at a future date that has yet to be determined. This will allow for redevelopment of the Civic Square sometime after 2022.
Will a new facility mean an increased operating budget?
The operating budget for the new facility is expected to be a net increase of $1.057 million per year, starting in 2016.
