The good news is that the Arctic Ice Centre is essentially sound – and could be around for another 20 or 30 years. But there’s a hitch: Ensuring that longevity and integrity will cost an estimated $7.8 million, Slave Lake Town councillors heard last week. And while materials proposed for the upgrade can be used again when proposed new arenas begin to take shape, there’s no guarantee that the price will remain the same for long.
In fact, the figure could inflate wildly — even double – if council doesn’t address the problems in the coming year or two – if not sooner.
That was the bottom line last week when officials from Field, Field & Field Architecture Engineering presented their report to council.
“We have major issues with building codes and fire ratings,” architect Roger Field told councillors. The arenas are currently ‘grand-fathered’ to the codes existing when they were built. But, he added, “as soon as we put hammer to the building,” it’ll have to measure up to current building codes.
That said, however, much could be accomplished by essentially ‘enveloping’ the entire Arena 1 with interlocking panels of insulated sheet metal – known as wall-cladding, he added. Add an insulated metal roof (roof cladding), shore up some leaning trusses at the west end of the facility, create an air flow, build additional ‘water closets’ and widen the hallway connecting dressing rooms on the west side of Arena 1, and it’ll be ‘good to go’ for a long time.
The cladding is “the best you can buy” and has a 50 or 60-year life, he added. It can be removed and re-installed when the community builds new facilities a decade or two hence.
Fire codes dictate that the first essential move is to install sprinkler systems for both facilities once any work begins, he said. And an outside staircase leading to the second floor of Arena 1 would ensure that area has two easy exits in the event of fire, he added.
In a perfect, well-heeled world, council would then undertake to expand and install a large number of washrooms – and dressing rooms. It’d also widen the hallway that runs under the bleachers on the west side of Arena 1.
Moving the concession area, skate- sharpening room and office to one side of the lobby area would provide a smoother traffic flow as well as a larger viewing and gathering area, he said.
Being barrier-free poses some of Arena 1’s greatest challenges, he added, but adding an exterior ‘entry vestibule’ with steps, railings and a wheelchair ramp would be a good first step.
“That’s good to hear,” said Mayor Karina Pillay Kinnee.
After some discussion, councillors asked the architect to return next month with a proposal for phasing in the essential upgrades, warning him that $7 million is far beyond their current abilities.
Field again reminded them that the cost of other recent projects has as much as doubled in two years.
“It was good to hear that the facility is structurally sound,” said Karl Hill in a later interview.
The Community Services director explains that the department’s goal is to “sustain the integrity of the facility and lengthen the usable life of the facility” until a new arena or arenas can be constructed – hopefully in 2028.

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