The beginnings of demolition at the Kinex Arena. (rdnewsNOW/Ashley Lavallee-Koenig)

By Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

CONSTRUCTED IN 1967

Demolition begins for historic Kinex Arena

Jul 15, 2024 | 4:03 PM

Demolition of the long-loved Kinex Arena officially began on July 15, and is expected to finish within the next couple of days.

Since 1967 the building has been a part of the community, although it wasn’t always an arena. The building was first constructed as a barn for Westerner Park, which used to be located downtown.

When the park moved, a series of renovations and updates converted it into the arena that many Red Deerians enjoyed for decades.

“Since 1967, it’s gone through a number of different investments and refurbishments to bring it up to speed, some enhancements that made it as accessible as it could be. It was an older arena, so some of the standards weren’t what they are now when it came to things like changing room size, accessibility,” explained Barb McKee, recreation superintendent for the City. “There were a few challenges with the facility, but it was much loved. That facility, for almost 60 years, served the ice and dry space community and it was known for having great ice, hard ice and also being one of the cooler indoor dry spaces in the summer months.”

Although demolition only started today, the discussion was in the works for years, said McKee. A few years ago, building assessments indicated the investment required to bring the arena up to standard would exceed the value gained from further renovations, so the City kept it running until the G. H. Dawe Community Centre could be completed.

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“It’s a space that’s going to hold lots of memories for Red Deerians, and as hard as it is to see it come down, I can say that the new twin arena at the G. H. Dawe Community Centre is making its mark,” she said. “We certainly didn’t have to reduce service to community but actually were able to continue on with the six sheets of ice that the city operates. Lots of history in that building, but we’re looking forward to what the Dawe offers now with the new twin amenity there.”

Prior to its demolition, the City held a small garage sale to repurpose some of the equipment in smaller municipalities.

“We did everything we could to make that facility continue living its best life, even if pieces of it are in different communities, and just know that so many people will look upon the last decades at the Kinex as really positive memories,” McKee said.

With assistance from local sporting organizations, the awards, trophies, and memorabilia within were removed and returned to local sports partners.

“We were really careful in wanting to preserve the history that did live in some of those different awards and trophies, so they were taken care of,” she said.

Once the demolition is complete, the area will be reverted to grass and act as a green space extension of the neighbouring Barrett Park.

Related stories:

• Kinex Arena parts up for grabs ahead of demolition
• A look back: Red Deerians say final farewell to Kinex Arena
• City to host Kinex Arena farewell event

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