Arena Renewal Program

About this project

The 2020 budget called for the City to invest up to $50 million in recreation and library facilities.

On May 26, 2022, Council directed the Public Service to use $8 million in arena funding to fund the repair and maintenance of the following arenas: 

  • Ab McDonald
  • Bertrand
  • Billy Mosienko
  • Century
  • Charles A. Barbour
  • Charlie Gardiner
  • Eric Coy
  • Maginot
  • River East
  • Sam Southern
  • Sargent Park
  • Terry Sawchuk
  • West Kildonan
  • St. Vital
  • Allard
  • A Community Centre Arena in each ward where there is not a City arena

Each of the arenas is to receive a minimum of $100,000. 

This funding will support the continuity of arena operations and maintain service levels for the residents of Winnipeg.

This project is funded by the Government of Manitoba.

Timeline

The Arena Renewal Program is being delivered in phases.

Phase 1: Priorities at City-operated arenas

Most planned Phase 1 projects at the 12 City-operated arenas have now been completed. 

Completed Phase 1 work includes: 

  • Upgraded rink lighting at 2 arenas 
  • Roof upgrades and replacements at 2 arenas 
  • Electrical upgrades at 12 arenas 
  • Updated building carbon monoxide sensors at 12 arenas 
  • Ice control upgrades at 11 arenas 
  • New score clocks at 3 arenas 
  • Ice plant renewals at 3 arenas 

Remaining Phase 1 work includes additional planned upgrades at select arenas, including St. Vital Arena. 

Phase 2: Priorities at Community Centre indoor arenas and Allard Arena  

Building Condition Assessments have been completed for the following eligible arenas: 

  • Allard 
  • Dakota 
  • Garden City 
  • Glenwood 
  • Maples 
  • Richmond Kings 
  • St. Norbert 
  • Transcona East End 
  • West Kildonan Memorial 

The results have been shared with the applicable Community Centres. 

Based on these assessments, the City has identified and advanced priority projects to support service continuity and ongoing facility improvements at select Community Centre arenas. Examples of this work include: 

  • Electrical upgrades 
  • Ice plant improvements 
  • Sewer-related work 
  • Fire alarm system upgrades 

The City is continuing to meet with Community Centre boards to review assessment findings and support future planning. 

Phase 3: City-operated arena projects 

Planning is underway for the next phase of work at City-operated arenas from 2026 to 2028. 

Current Phase 3 work includes: 

  • Structural assessments at select City-operated arenas 
  • Scoping for future ice plant renewal work 
  • Planning for additional arena upgrades and regulatory-related improvements 

Additional projects will be identified as assessments are completed and priorities are confirmed. 

Frequently asked questions

1. Are Community Centres City of Winnipeg assets?

Community Centre facilities (including indoor arenas) and grounds are owned by the City of Winnipeg and managed by Community Centre volunteer boards.

2.Do Community Centres receive funding from the City of Winnipeg for indoor arenas?

The annual operating grant from the City does not fund indoor arena assets that have revenue-generating capacity, such as: 

  • Indoor arena ice surfaces
  • Bleachers
  • Mechanical and Zamboni rooms that solely service indoor ice operations

Indoor arenas are funded for heated areas, which include:

  • Dressing rooms
  • Foyers
  • Canteens
  • Offices
  • Washrooms

3. Do all Community Centres receive the same operating grant funding?

Community Centres receive varying amounts of operating grant funding, based on the: 

  • Heated square footage of individual Community Centre facilities
  • Population base of each Centre's catchment boundary
  • Number of outdoor hockey rinks operating for each Community Centre

4. Will all Community Centres with indoor arenas receive funding for repair and maintenance?

Not all Community Centres with indoor arenas are eligible to receive funding for repairs and maintenance. Community Centres must be situated in a ward with no City-operated arena to receive a portion of this funding.

5. How is this capital program being funded?

The $8 million allocated to the Arena Renewal Program is part of the Recreation and Library Facility Investment Strategy funding approved in 2022. Funding for the Recreation and Library Facility Investment Strategy is provided by the Government of Manitoba.

6. How much of the budget has been spent?

Information on the financial status of the Arena Renewal Program can be found on the Open Capital Projects Dashboard.

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