_urbanite
Senior Member
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Tipton, Oliver, Ross Barnes and Westwood are the 4 oldest arenas that are probably in danger
Tipton, Oliver, Ross Barnes and Westwood are the 4 oldest arenas that are probably in danger
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- Thread starter Daveography
- Start date
Tropical
Active Member
My dream scenario in in Wikhwentowin is that the current pool and arena can be "consolidated" into a large natural pool like in Borden.
IanO
Superstar
Which is ok IF they plan on replacing a few (which they aren't) and so we drive much further out.
Sure there's the community rink Downtown, but a few single ice sheets SHOULD be replaced, not just passed on because they cannot fit a MEGA centre in there.
northlands
Senior Member
I do love the single sheet community facilities but if you take out the minor hockey nostalgia the facilities really do just suck even beyond their physical condition. Tiny dressing rooms, tiny showers, tiny foyer, cramped stands, etc. It's also cute having them in neighbourhoods until all the adjacent side streets are filled with big SUVs from hockey parents.
Unfortunately, like everything nowadays, consolidation might be the best way forward. Take some land at the north end of Blatchford, build a soccer centre style facility (four rinks, central concession/lounge), and close Westwood/Russ Barnes/Glengarry/Wihkwentowin. Remains central, easy access for the suburbanites off the Yellowhead, more energy efficient, better facilities for both players and spectators, etc.
bodsbods9090
Senior Member
Yup, I think the days of single rinks are going away. Multi-sheet facilities need to happen for numerous reasons.
archited
Senior Member
Nothin' more depressin' than a rinky-dink rink.
IanO
Superstar
Do they? In all cases?
So then all of our neighbourhood rinks disappear and you are forced to drive further and this removes community skates and amenities.
Mega-centres are not the be all and end all.
ADob
Active Member
Agreed. We talk about walkable neighbourhoods and the cost of sprawl, and then force people to drive if they wanna swim or skate. I have zero interest in a massive recreation centre surrounded by parking lots, and it often feels like those of us who live in Edmonton's central neighbourhoods end up having to put up with losing our infrastructure and subsidizing the burbs.
bodsbods9090
Senior Member
You can thank a lack of maintenance on some of these rinks for that.
I didn't say close them all down but...the City better be prepared to put money into them or sell them to groups who would be willing to upgrade or maintain them.
David A
Senior Member
I realize they feel quaint, perhaps like the idea of having recreational facilities in older more central areas. However, people who live there shouldn't always have to drive to far flung suburban locations for everything, but that seems to be the Edmonton way of thinking.
Oilers99
Active Member
Agenda - 2026 Agenda | Edmonton Real Estate Forum
2026 Agenda. Agenda for day 1 of Edmonton Real Estate Foruminformaconnect.com
Agenda updated here looks like a good mix of different topics this year.
MacLac
Senior Member
Sounds the cream of the crop so to speak will be there…..perhaps we’ll get some announcements on some projects?
Oilers99
Active Member
I don't think specific project announcements will be made at the forum, but yes definitely a good group of local and national industry leaders. The topics cover a wide range of development in Edmonton from greenfield, infill, different asset classes etc.
policyenthusiast
Senior Member
Agreed. People underestimate how much the consolidation of public facilities can drive up costs & drive down traffic.
Kosy123
Senior Member
Edmonton specific report from Colliers isn't out yet, but they've also got the downtown office market with small absorptions and vacancy reductions.
