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Inside the nearly complete Eagle Builders Centre in Blackfalds. The facility is set to open Nov. 10 for minor hockey and Nov. 19 for Junior A. (Town of Blakfalds)
eight-week delay

New arena and library in Blackfalds finally has opening date

Nov 3, 2021 | 11:11 AM

The new Eagle Builders Centre in Blackfalds will finally open this month.

The facility, which houses a flashy hockey arena and municipal library was supposed to open in September, in time for the AJHL’s Blackfalds Bulldogs to start their inaugural season.

That team’s true home opener – having played just three thus far in Red Deer, Lacombe and at the AJHL showcase in Brooks — is now slated for Nov. 19 when the Calgary Canucks roll in.

Sean Barnes, Director of Community Services, Town of Blackfalds, says the eight-week delay was unforeseen and caused by a supply shortage.

“We’re talking switches, mechanical, millwork. They thought it’d come at a certain time, but because of COVID, it didn’t,” Barnes explains.

“There’s a huge demand on materials. Because of COVID shutdowns at plants, they’re trying to keep up with materials coming in that need to go out across North America. To only be eight weeks behind in the end is pretty good.”

Barnes adds that in speaking with other municipalities with similar capital projects, some are facing delays of four to six months.

“Now the materials are showing up here and we’ll be open for minor hockey on Nov. 10,” he says. “There’ll be some minor construction to finish. Also on Nov. 19, when the first Junior A game is scheduled for, the library will start moving its furniture in and open shortly thereafter.”

Fingers are crossed for no more unanticipated delays, Barnes says.

“It depends on materials and on labour. All our trades are at the site right now and they’re working hard,” he says.

“Delnor Construction has done a great job coordinating work on the facility. I can’t wait to see the look on people’s faces when they come in.”

Last month, the Bulldogs hockey team announced it would be operating under the provincial Restrictions Exemption Program (REP). At all other times, the arena, like all other municipal facilities in Blackfalds, are not operating under REP.