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Halifax Forum: What have other Canadian communities built for less?
Halifax Forum: What have other Canadian communities built for less?
1. Wasaga Beach Twin-Pad Arena and Library
Opened 2023
2 ice pads
$45.3M
Reported construction cost
The 117,000-square-foot facility includes two NHL-sized ice surfaces, a public library, indoor walking track, community hall, and a multipurpose arena suitable for events. The town's original overall budget was approximately $60 million, while the construction contract was about $44.6 million. This is a particularly useful comparison because the project includes substantial community amenities.
Town of Wasaga Beach project announcement
2. Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre
Opened 2024
2 ice pads
$49.5M
Reported project cost
An approximately 8,547-square-metre twin-pad arena with spectator seating, multipurpose rooms, a skate shop and rooftop patio.
3. 7 Chiefs Sportsplex and Chief Jim Starlight Centre
Opened 2019
2 indoor ice pads
$55.6M
Reported project cost
A major multipurpose sports complex featuring two NHL-sized indoor ice pads, an additional covered outdoor rink, a large field house, fitness facilities, an indoor running track, meeting rooms and event space.
4. WFCU Place – Community Recreation Centre
Opened 2026
2 ice pads
$63M
Total project budget
A new recreation facility with two regulation ice pads, 14 dressing rooms, an indoor walking track, spectator seating and community meeting space. The City of North Bay reports that the project was delivered on time and on budget.
Official City of North Bay project page
5. Cenovus Energy Hub
Opened 2025
2 indoor + 1 outdoor sheet
$101.3M
Reported project cost
A larger spectator and community facility with two indoor ice surfaces, an outdoor community rink, event space, fitness amenities and concessions.
2. Additional projects worth investigating
Proposed facilities or projects that have not yet completed construction.
|
Facility |
Ice capacity |
Reported cost |
Status and relevance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Northside Twin Arena
Alberta Major Projects |
2 |
$50M |
Under construction; includes an 8,000-square-foot community centre. |
|
Glenmore Twin Arena
Calgary Newsroom |
2 |
$85.6M |
Under construction, expected completion in 2027; includes spectator and multipurpose amenities. |
|
Langley Events Centre arena expansion
Township of Langley +1 |
3 ice + 2 dry-floor arenas |
$149M |
Expected to open in 2026; a larger, stacked multi-arena complex. |
|
Kamloops Multiplex |
4 proposed |
$140M |
Concept-stage estimate, not a completed project; useful for comparing the potential scope of a four-pad facility at a similar budget. |
