The options are to upgrade the Access Communications Centre or build a new facility with neighbouring municipalities. (File photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

NEW ARENA TALKS CONTINUE

North Battleford, regional partners sign MOU for new arena project

Mar 11, 2025 | 4:32 PM

The City of North Battleford has taken another step toward a new regional arena and event centre, approving a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize discussions with surrounding communities.

Mayor Kelli Hawtin said the city is still weighing its options, including whether to upgrade the existing Access Communications Centre or build a new facility in partnership with neighbouring municipalities.

“The MOU is really to speak to that latter suggestion that we work together as regional communities to build something for the future for everyone,” she told battlefordsNOW after Monday’s council meeting.

The city has already begun planning. A consultant study by Nustadia Recreation consultants , developed with input from regional user groups, outlines the area’s needs for a new facility. Another study has compiled engineering reports detailing the work required on the existing building.

Hawtin said North Battleford cannot take on the project alone and emphasized the widespread interest in the initiative.

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“Any new project that we’re looking at, it’s not going to be possible for the city to develop alone,” she said.

“People from up to 75 kilometres away from North Battleford have been talking about this, and they have been engaged in this. Lots of people are really excited about the potential that there’s something here that we can really do well together, and we certainly can’t do it alone.”

City manager Randy Patrick said discussions with regional communities have been ongoing, with many showing interest in the project.

“We’ve gotten a number of communities together and asked them to help participate in the development of the new arena and event centre,” he said.

Council is expected to consider a final package of options for both the new and old arenas at the end of the month.

“What we’ve asked for is for communities to sign an MOU saying that they’re interested in participating with the region,” Patrick said. “Some have started to respond back … saying that the mayor is going to be signing those agreements.”

Patrick emphasized that signing the MOU does not commit any financial resources at this stage.

“It is saying we’re going to work together towards a regional facility,” he said.

Hawtin emphasized the importance of the March 31 meeting, where the city will present findings from the report on the new and old arenas.

Communities that sign the agreement will have the opportunity to provide input and discuss the project’s next steps with consultants during the meeting.

“One of the main sticking points I’ve heard in a lot of those meetings is just the ability to work together from the start, and that’s what we really want to do here,” she said.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com