A rendering shows the proposed exterior design of the Battleford Arena expansion, part of a $3.4-million project to modernize the 1977 facility with improved accessibility, safety and user amenities. (Image Credit: Associated Engineering)

By Kenneth Cheung

INFRASTRUCTURE

‘It will definitely start this spring’: Updates on $3.4M arena expansion in Battleford

Mar 3, 2026 | 2:03 PM

The Town of Battleford is bringing in outside oversight as it prepares to begin work this spring on its $3.4-million arena expansion.

Council has voted to accept a proposal from Colliers Project Leaders to assist with project management on the Battleford arena renovation, a move Mayor Ames Leslie says is aimed at protecting taxpayers on a multi-million-dollar build.

“Colliers has a reputation of making sure that the projects are done on time, on cost, and sometimes under budget,” he said.

“And in today’s ask to stretch every taxpayer’s dollars, this is an investment that could net some positive returns in this project to make sure that the project is done in the most efficient and cost-wise possible.”

The full agreement has not yet been finalized.

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“It depends on what the scope of what council wants them to be involved in, but it definitely wouldn’t take much to recoup their cost,” Leslie said.

The arena expansion carries an estimated base construction cost of $2,546,700, plus a 20 per cent contingency of $509,300 and $327,200 in engineering fees, for a total of about $3,383,200 before GST.

The project was given the green light within this year’s budget, and early design plans have already been presented to council by Associated Engineering.

“It [construction] will definitely start this spring, that’s the hope,” Leslie said. 

Click here to read about the design plans.

Work is slated to unfold over two years, with construction phased to avoid shutting down the rink entirely.

“We don’t want to disrupt the hockey and figure skating, other users of the rink, when it does come back online in the fall.”

Upgrades are expected to address long-standing concerns about dressing room space, washrooms, congestion and accessibility in the 1977 facility, with completion targeted before the 2027-28 season.

Prior to the latest design updates, the last major renovation in 2000 included a new concrete slab, dasher boards, modifications to the bleachers and a 4,000-square-foot expansion to accommodate a Zamboni room, club room, mechanical room and storage space.

About seven years ago, the town installed a new ice plant, but there hasn’t been any follow-up work since.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com