The 18-acre parcel, marked in red, would be the initial phase of a multi-phase development. (Council agenda package/City of P.A.)

By Alison Sandstrom

Land acquisition

City of P.A. eyes land for new multi-million dollar aquatic and arena complex

Jun 25, 2020 | 5:54 PM

A piece of land for Prince Albert’s new $60 million aquatic and arena centre has been identified, and city councillors will discuss its purchase on Monday night.

If approved, the 18-acre parcel will host two 68,000 square foot hockey rinks – with seating for 800 people each – and a 47,000 square foot aquatic centre, the city said in a media release late Thursday.

Council documents show the sale price for the land located in the southeast of the city between Highway 3 and Marquis Road is $6,525,000 to be funded from a reserve fund. The owner is Signature Development Corporation.

Long-term plans

The recreation centre is expected to be the first of three phases of development at the location. Phase two would include the construction of an entertainment centre hosting a large arena, while phase three would see other development opportunities including a convention centre and branch library.

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“At this stage we are also exploring funding models that will allow for us to include the second phase, a 125,000 square foot entertainment centre and arena which will be part of the RFP for the design of the new facilities,” Mayor Greg Dionne said in the media release. “This land purchase is the first step in the process and will set us up for future expansion as needed.”

The 18 acres recommended for purchase is part of an 80-acre parcel owned by Prince Albert based Signature Development Corporation. The entire 80-acre parcel will be developed and serviced for future commercial development.

Big vision

“The vision for the area is for it to be developed as an entertainment and commercial district with complimentary service-based businesses locating in the area,” President of Signature Development Corporation Gord Broda said. “Our research shows that there is a need for this type of commercial space in Prince Albert and the Recreation Centre fits well with the vision we have for the area.”

If approved, the next step in the process will be to proceed with land development and servicing and hiring an architectural firm to begin conceptual designs for the new facility.

“This recreation centre is an important project for Prince Albert and will represent the single largest recreation-based development in the history of our City,” Dionne said. “I am very supportive of the proposed location given its potential for future development and taxation revenues which can be used to offset any borrowing required for the facility.”

Funding

The City of Prince Albert’s application to the Canada Infrastructure Program was approved for $44 million of the $60 million project which includes $24 million from the Federal Government, nearly $20 million from the provincial government and the remainder from the City of Prince Albert.

There will be no tax increase to fund the new Aquatic and Arenas Recreation Centre. The land purchase will be made using existing funds set aside in the Civic Facilities Reserve which was established in 2014. This reserve will be used for future payments for the new facility.

“This funding was due in large part to the hard work of our local MLA Joe Hargrave and MP Randy Hoback who helped us through a revision to the original application,” Dionne said. “With this project and the Victoria Hospital addition and renovation on the horizon we have a lot to look forward to in the coming years including getting our people back to work to complete these major infrastructure builds.”

There was no further comment from the city or Signature Development Corporation Thursday, but the city indicated there would more public comment on Tuesday morning after the council meeting.

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow