An exterior rendering of the proposed regional arena and event centre. (Image Credit: Nustadia Recreation Inc.)

By battlefordsNOW staff

infrastructure

Regional arena project faces questions as partners weigh funding commitments

Mar 31, 2026 | 5:43 PM

A long-discussed plan for a regional arena in North Battleford is drawing questions from potential municipal partners, as concerns over costs, risks and outstanding details were raised during a joint meeting of regional councils.

The contracted consulting firm told municipal leaders the proposed twin-pad recreation centre has reached a critical stage, where further progress depends on firm financial commitments rather than additional study.

“This project is now at a very important decision point,” said Nicholas Frizzell, general manager at Nustadia Recreation Inc., adding the next steps are “about confirmation and alignment, not necessarily new analysis.”

The facility, envisioned as a multi-purpose regional hub for sports, events and community programming, is now estimated to cost about $94 million if construction proceeds in the coming years.

The funding model relies on roughly $20 to $24 million from local partners and a $20-million fundraising campaign. The remaining cost – up to $50 million – would need to come from provincial and federal governments.

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Regional arena project faces questions as partners weigh funding commitments

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Frizzell said securing senior government funding depends on demonstrating local commitment first.

“Local commitment is what really unlocks every other dollar in this project,” he said.

(Image Credit: Nustadia Recreation Inc.)

The City of North Battleford is the only partner to formally approve funding so far, committing $15 million toward construction and $350,000 annually toward operating costs.

Other partners on the regional steering committee have indicated potential contributions but have yet to pass resolutions confirming their support – a step required before the project can move forward.

Those regional partners include the Town of Battleford, Red Pheasant Cree Nation, Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs, Battlefords Tribal Council, the Battlefords Regional Community Coalition (BRCC), and the rural municipalities of North Battleford and Battle River.

“We have no formal resolutions yet, and that’s the next step,” Frizzell said.

Frizzell said time is also a factor, as local commitments are needed before approaching provincial and federal funding programs, while a planned fundraising campaign is expected to take up to a year to complete.

Elected officials on the project’s regional steering committee raised questions about long-term financial exposure and the level of detail available to support such a commitment.

One of those concerns came from Mayor Ames Leslie of Battleford, who said his council is still weighing the proposal.

“To this date, nobody on my team has seen what it looks like, what it’s going to look like inside, what the plan is, how it’s going to be, how it’s going to be utilized,” Leslie said.

“For them to make this type of decision, they’re asking to write a blank check, and have no clue what they’re writing it for.”

“There is no direct impact to the Town of Battleford. So, they have to digest that to support a regional project, but at the same time, they have to take the opinion of their taxpayers as well and figure out what’s the best plan for it,” Leslie added.

The project is expected to operate with an annual deficit of about $350,000, to be shared among partners based on their level of investment.

“The expectation is that as equity partners that provide capital to the project, they also would be able to provide that portion as well to the project on an ongoing basis,” Frizzell said.

Frizzell said the estimate is based on current usage patterns and projected growth, but some around the table questioned whether demand would meet expectations.

Leslie pointed to declining attendance in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), noting the North Stars are drawing about 700 fans per game in a venue that could seat 3,000.

“I’m just asking a question to try and understand, you know, the economics of our community versus this big facility,” he said.

Alternative options remain if full funding cannot be secured, including scaling the project back to a single-pad facility or reinvesting in upgrades to the existing arena.

Frizzell said the feasibility study, governance model and partnership framework are already in place, with the remaining steps focused on confirming capital commitments, selecting a site and advancing funding applications, decisions that will determine whether the project moves forward.

The discussion took place Monday during a planning committee meeting at the Don Ross Council Chamber.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com