Construction begins on twin-ice arena in SW Calgary

The City of Calgary has broke ground on a much needed recreational project.

Construction has begun on the Glenmore Twin Arena, a new, multi-rink facility which will replace the aging Stu Peppard Arena.

The Stu Peppard Arena has just one sheet of ice, and was built in 1962.

The project is expected to be finished in 2027 and will help to address the growing need for ice rink facilities in Calgary, the city says.

Located in the southwest Glenmore Athletic Park, the $85.6 million twin arena will bring modern amenities and two ice surfaces to the community.

“Building a new, state-of-the-art facility like the Glenmore Twin Arena is a critical investment in Calgary’s future,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “As our city continues to grow, we must prioritize recreational infrastructure to meet the needs of all Calgarians. This new arena will provide the opportunities for all ages and abilities to stay active, connected, and engaged in the communities they call home.”

One rink will have 1,000 seats, while the other will have 300, according to the city.

A ground level lobby will also have a seating area, accessible washrooms, and access to the teams’ and officials’ rooms.

The second floor, which will have elevator and stair access, will have a spectator concourse for easy access to seating areas, washrooms, and concession.

Other spaces on the second floor will include a classroom, conference room, multiuse room, and a warm-up area.

“Ward 11 is home to many families and recreation enthusiasts. Glenmore Twin Arena is a welcome addition to meet the growing need for ice rinks in southwest Calgary,” said Coun. Kourtney Penner.

According to the city, the building will be designed for operational efficiency, targeting a a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold approach.

Funding for the project was designated under the Revised Capital Investment Strategy. It is also funded, in part, by a financial contribution from Hockey Calgary.

Glenmore Twin Arena fits with the recently adopted GamePLAN Making Waves service level, which aims to increase bookable hours at ice rinks by 25 per cent with one sheet of ice for every 32,000 residents.

By 2050, the city says it hopes to have 68 ice sheets across the city.