Plans approved by city council include the aquatic centre and twin arenas in a single building. (Council agenda package/City of P.A.)

By Alison Sandstrom

New and improved

Ice user groups happy with new rec complex plans

Apr 7, 2021 | 5:18 PM

User groups of the city’s new multimillion dollar recreation complex are embracing designs for the facility approved by city council last week.

After the plan’s enthusiastic reception by the P.A. Sharks Swim Club, ice user groups have also told paNOW they like the proposed vision for the complex.

“I think they [the plans] are great,” Brad Toporowski, board member with P.A. Minor Hockey told paNOW. “It’s long overdue for a new facility in this city.”

He said the new arenas will attract more teams to tournaments, and the larger dressing rooms and better seating for fans will be a great improvement over older facilities.

Although city council approved a design with less seating capacity than initially promised, Toporowski said the 540 seats and 270 seats planned for the two arenas respectively will be sufficient for minor hockey needs.

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“You can’t just go and throw money around building a bigger than needed facility just for the one or two or three times you may need it [more seating],” he said, adding that the Art Hauser Centre will continue to be available and another larger arena is hopefully on the way for the city.

The Prince Albert Skating Club is similarly enthusiastic about the plans.

Coach Shelia Fazio said the planned facility will allow Prince Albert to host provincial skating competitions—something the city hasn’t been able to do for a number of years since rules changed to require a twin arena.

Provincial competitions typically attract around 200 to 300 skaters and their families, she said.

The P.A. Skating Club currently trains out of the Dave G. Steuart Arena where mechanical and structural issues have disrupted their season in the past, Fazio said.

“So this way [with a new facility], we definitely know there won’t be any interruptions,” she said.

Council has asked city administration to bring forward a report on the usage of the Dave G. Steuart and Kinsmen arenas for discussion at a future meeting.

Meanwhile council directed that the Prince Albert Northern Bears and AAA Mintos hockey teams will continue to utilize the Art Hauser Centre until the larger arena in phase 2 of the recreation complex project is constructed.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom