(City of Red Deer)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

not much longer to wait

G.H. Dawe Community Centre projected to open in late February

Nov 4, 2022 | 12:59 PM

Renovations at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre will wind down very soon.

City of Red Deer Safe & Healthy Communities Manager, Kristin Walsh, says the newly twinned ice rinks and everything else that’s coming with it has a projected opening timeframe of late February 2023.

The majority of the exterior and structural components is 85 per cent complete or more,” says Walsh.

“If we break it down, the exterior paving and landscaping is 85 per cent complete, the exterior of the building is 95 per cent done with just the soffit, fascia and panelling left to do. Work on the interior is on schedule and going quite well. The rain we received in June affected timelines a bit, but we’ve worked hard to get caught up.”

Walsh says one concrete ice slab has been poured and the other will be done next week.

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Meantime, the outdoor spray park is 85 per cent finished, but now snow is slowing things down slighty after a fortuitous September and October weather-wise.

The Kinex will also stay open until the Dawe is ready so that an ice surface is not lost. Then the Kinex will be demolished.

“One thing we’re seeing as we try to return to a more normal way of life is not every organization’s participation levels are back to normal, which creates additional opportunities for some to book more ice times when they wouldn’t have before,” says Walsh.

That’ll continue once the Dawe reopens, and will include groups like the Red Deer Central Lions Speed Skating Club, Red Deer Pond Hockey, and many more.

Additionally, the arena spaces will support school use and community programming such as youth camps and drop in opportunities, according to Walsh. The new fitness area on the second floor has a running track, and there will be two studio spaces and a full compliment of fitness equipment that will provide many new options for citizens to participate in dryland and fitness training.

“Excitement is something there’s a lot of around this facility, among staff and everyone involved who really want to see this new space,” Walsh adds.

“The things that make me really excited are the track and rec equipment that will be really popular and will help offer a wide variety of programming. There are also art installations included in the design, and washrooms will be more inclusive too.”

On the north side of the building, there will be 315 new parking spaces, adding to the 222 on the south side which pool users, library-goers and school families currently utilize.

In total, renovations at the Dawe are worth $42 million — $14.2 from the City, $15.1 from Ottawa, and $12.6 from Alberta.

Further updates on this project can be found at reddeer.ca.