Youth account for about 89% of ice use in Cenovus Energy Hub’s first year

Youth accounted for 3,327 of the facility’s 3,739 reported ice-use hours. The Lloydminster Minor Hockey Association was the largest of five anchor users, booking 2,123 hours. Together, those organizations used 3,052 hours.

The venue welcomed its first booking on Sept. 5, 2025. It was developed to replace the aging Centennial Civic Centre after a 2019 building assessment identified significant infrastructure deficiencies.

Beyond hockey, the three-day Gold Horse Casino Powwow drew an estimated 7,500 participant and attendee visits. More than 1,800 students attended the Heart of Treaty 6 Powwow for educational and cultural programming.

Two community fundraisers generated more than $91,000 for local services, and Battle of the Badges spectators donated approximately 900 pounds of food.

The 2,500-seat event arena that expands to 4,500 for concerts. (Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

A free Soundcheck concert attracted approximately 1,750 people, while the Border City Tattoo Expo drew more than 1,500 attendees. The venue also hosted graduations, a car show, Filipino Fest and provincial speed skating and lacrosse events.

The review noted that the facility’s 2026 operating revenue was at 90 per cent of its budget forecast as of Oct. 13, and administration expected it to exceed initial projections. Expenses were in line with projections or trending below them, with savings in contracted services and utilities.

The report does not list the facility’s total operating revenue and expenses in dollars.

The first major ticketed concert, a June 12 Josh Ross show, lost $20,337 after being budgeted to earn a $141,518 profit. An accompanying presentation lists 2,501 tickets sold.

Admission revenue reached $283,131, about 60 per cent of the $472,638 forecast. Total concert revenue was $306,454, while expenses reached $326,791, below the $345,020 budget.

In its assessment of the concert, administration wrote: “While ticket sales fell short of the initial projections, the event delivered significant operational and community value.”

The report said the show helped staff refine admissions, volunteer management, food and beverage service and event conversions. Eighteen local vendors and service providers supported the concert.

Other operational changes included revised concession layouts, dedicated beverage service areas, a suite-level bar and expanded kitchen capabilities.

All inaugural suite holders renewed, and seven of the facility’s 10 suites are currently leased, including two made available exclusively to the Bobcats and Bandits for their own game-day use.

Administration’s priorities include attracting additional concerts, increasing suite occupancy and establishing a five-year strategy to guide bids for provincial and regional events.

Booked events include the 2027 Saskatchewan men’s SaskTel Tankard and women’s Bunge Prairie Pinnacle provincial championships, the 2027 AJHL All-Star Game and the Lloydminster Skating Club’s 70th annual carnival featuring Olympic medallist Elvis Stojko.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

Youth account for about 89% of ice use in Cenovus Energy Hub’s first year

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