A rendering shows the proposed exterior design of the Battleford Arena expansion, part of a $3.4-million project to modernize the 1977 facility with improved accessibility, safety and user amenities. (Photo courtesy Town of Battleford/Associated Engineering)

By Kenneth Cheung

INFRASTRUCTURE

Battleford greenlights $3.4M arena expansion, targets 2027-28 completion

Oct 21, 2025 | 12:10 PM

The Town of Battleford is moving ahead with a $3.4-million expansion of its 1977 arena following years of planning and strong public backing for improvements to accessibility, safety and user comfort.

The project — first explored in 2000 and refined through design work in 2014 — is now scheduled to go to tender in early 2026, with construction beginning once the ice is removed that spring.

Work will be phased over two hockey seasons to avoid shutting the rink completely, with completion targeted before the 2027-28 season.

Mayor Ames Leslie said the new design reflects the priorities raised during community and user-group consultations earlier this year.

“I think the engineers and administration listened to the feedback from the community and the user groups,” he said following the the Oct. 20 council meeting where the report was presented.

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

13h ago

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

12 Best Tips to Spend Less at Christmas

Nov 18, 2025

“Everything I saw tonight, I made note of the changes they made were the same things that the user groups and the people of our community brought forward as things that they wanted to see differently at the arena.”

A floor plan shows the proposed layout for the $3.4-million Battleford Arena expansion, including new dressing rooms, accessible washrooms and an expanded lobby area. (Photo courtesy Town of Battleford/Associated Engineering)

Associated Engineering, the contracted firm, found in its report that 94 per cent of survey respondents supported the project, with residents most concerned about limited dressing and referee rooms, a lack of washrooms, congestion, and accessibility barriers.

The redesign addresses those issues across all sides of the building.

On the south side, plans call for a new vestibule and canopy to improve entry flow and reduce snow buildup, an expanded lobby with new glazing for better visibility, and a universally-accessible washroom.

A dehumidification unit above the lobby will enhance ice quality, and a portable wheelchair viewing platform will be added.

The west side will include four new dressing rooms with shared showers and an accessible washroom, along with expanded mechanical and refrigeration rooms.

A new player-only corridor will allow teams to reach the ice directly through the benches, and new 1.8-metre-high glass will separate players from spectators.

On the north side, upgrades include a referee room with showers, two additional washrooms, new storage and janitorial areas, and a centralized lighting-control panel.

Associated Engineering estimated the base construction cost at $2,546,700, plus a 20 per cent contingency ($509,300) and $327,200 in engineering fees, bringing the total to about $3,383,200 before GST.

Leslie said the figure is one council “has stomached,” and the investment is long overdue.

“If we want to keep hockey viable in our community for years to come, I think this is a great step.”

Prior to the latest design updates, the last major renovation in 2000 included a new concrete slab, dasher boards, modifications to the bleachers and a 4,000-square-foot expansion to accommodate a Zamboni room, club room, mechanical room and storage space.

About seven years ago, the town installed a new ice plant, but there hasn’t been any follow-up work since.

—

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com