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.

 When the G.H. Dawe Community Centre re-opens in 2023, the Kinex Arena will be decommissioned, and the building will be demolished. The Kinex Arena has reached the end of its lifespan and would require significant investment to update the facility. A thorough assessment was conducted in 2018 to determine the future viability of the building as an ice arena, dry space/field house and garage/maintenance shop. Based on the cost estimates, a recommendation was made to maintain the Kinex as needed until the completion of the G.H. Dawe Community Centre project. Repurposing the facility was determined to not be a viable solution.

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.

The facility will close from May 1 to June 25, 2022. During this time the pool, gym, preschool areas, childminding, fitness and meeting rooms at the Dawe will not be available.  

• We anticipate the facility will re-open on June 26, with some exceptions:
• The Fitness Room will not be available; some larger pieces of existing fitness equipment will be temporarily moved to the “mall area” until the grand opening of our new health and wellness spaces in 2023. Use of this equipment will require a daily admission or monthly pass.
• Playing surfaces in the arena will not be available until construction is complete, which is expected to be early 2023.  
• Access to the Dawe branch of the Red Deer Public Library will be maintained throughout construction.

For more information, please read our G.H. Dawe Community Centre Project: Facility closure - FAQs (pdf).