The proposed project, as outlined in the project description of the Capital Budget as well as the grant application includes:

• modernization (replacement) of the existing ice surface to NHL standards
• addition of a second ice surface
• addition of a north entrance to the building
• site access off of 67 Street
• improved site traffic flow
• additional parking on the north side of the site
• site servicing
• expansion of fitness/programming space (including a running track)
• an outdoor spray park and washroom facility on the northeast quadrant of the property.

Twinning of an additional second ice surface at the G.H. Dawe Community would trigger the decommissioning of the Kinex Arena, which is reaching the end of its life. The addition of fitness and programming spaces increases the profitability of the overall operation.

View renderings of the G.H. Dawe Community Centre once the project is complete.

Construction started in May 2021. It is anticipated that the project will be complete by late 2022, with a planned opening for January 2023.

At this time, the project is expected to cost $44 million. The project is being funded jointly by the federal, provincial and municipal government:

• $15.1 million from the Government of Canada through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
• $12.8 million from the Alberta Government through Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding.
• Red Deer City Council:
• In November 2018, City Council approved $2.469 million as part of the 2019 capital budget for detail design.
• In November 2019, City Council approved $5 million for site servicing as part of 2020 Capital Budget deliberations. 
• In December 2020, City Council approved the 2021 and 2022 municipal portion of the project budget for $7.566 million, having approved $7.739 million in previous capital budgets.

With the Kinex Arena nearing the end of its useful life, the G.H. Dawe Community Centre project was prioritized in an effort to maintain the number of ice surfaces available to our community. It was prioritized in an effort to balance equitable ice distribution, geographical needs and recreation opportunities across Red Deer, while considering the need to provide flexible and unstructured activities in a sustainable way.

During construction, there will be some changes and impacts to existing amenities and programs, and we’ll do you best to share this information in advance.

Impacts for summer 2021 are as follows:

• Starting July 2, fitness and gym areas will open from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., daily. In July, summer day camps that normally operate from the Dawe will operate from other facilities.
• The pool will remain closed until September.
• All sports fields are unavailable for the season.
• To accommodate interior heating and ventilation construction, the facility will fully close from July 26 to September 7. Some registered preschool and summer camp programming may proceed, but no rental or general admission options will be available. More information will be provided as construction progresses.

Playing surfaces in the arena will not be available until construction is complete, which is expected to be early 2023. 

Read the G.H. Dawe Community Centre Project: construction impacts - FAQs (pdf)  for more information.