North Battleford seeks federal funding as arena project moves forward

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Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill confirmed that if the Battlefords Arena and Event Centre is approved through the direct delivery stream of the federal government’s Build Community Strong Fund, the Government of Saskatchewan has committed to matching federal funding for the project, up to one-third of eligible project costs. 

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With federal and provincial funding, the remaining local share for the project would be $36 million. 

While the Saskatchewan government has committed to match funding for projects in Saskatoon and Prince Albert, as well as the Battlefords, Cockrill stated his belief that North Battleford’s arena project is the closest to being able to break ground. 

“We probably have the most shovel-ready project in the province ready to go right here in our community. We have regional support. You see leaders from all across the region joining us today. We have a provincial funding commitment and we have a community ready to move forward,” Cockrill said. 

“What we need now is our federal partner willing to join the partnership on this project and help make it a reality for our region. Here in the Battlefords, we are together. We’ve successfully partnered across governments before and we’re ready to do it again. Let’s get it built.” 

Along with government officials, chiefs from surrounding First Nations were out to support the cause, including Moosomin First Nation Chief Quentin Swiftwolfe, Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation Chief Tanya Stone, and Sweetgrass First Nation Chief Lori Whitecalf. 

When discussing potential events that could be held at the future arena, Whitecalf talked about Indigenous tournaments. With the Tony Cote Summer Games in town, she also mentioned the possibility of hosting the Winter Games in the future. 

“There’s a number of Indigenous tournaments. I can’t speak for the organizers, however, they select Saskatoon because they require multiple sheets of ice. That’s the Jim Neilson tournament, the Fred Sasakamoose tournament, and there’s a number of youth tournaments as well,” Whitecalf said. 

“In 2012, BATC received the bid to host the Tony Cote Winter Games. We had to move that event to Saskatoon because we didn’t have enough facilities here. So, in the future, if we were to bid on that and get it, we would have sufficient space now.” 

As Treaty 6 approaches its 150th anniversary, Whitecalf also talked about the importance of collaboration with surrounding communities. 

“When they signed Treaty, this is what they thought of. This is what they envisioned was partnership and working together with our non-Indigenous neighbours. Not for us today, but for the babies yet to be born. They were forethinkers. I think that’s what we’re doing today is giving forethought to those yet to come.” 

With the additional space in the new arena, Hawtin also talked about other events that could be held at the facility. 

“We obviously host great rodeos and professional bull riding in the community. We’d like to continue doing more of that, but also a twin-pad facility can bring events that we can’t do with only one single ice sheet. There would be figure skating competitions that require two sheets of ice or other hockey tournaments,” Hawtin said. 

Cockrill added the Battlefords could host larger-scale events with a new arena, with the advantage of being within driving distance of Saskatoon. 

“We’re always looking at how do we get the next Brier, Scotties, World Juniors. We’re actively engaged through Tourism Saskatchewan to bring more events and have a really targeted event attraction strategy. Saskatoon and Regina get the bulk of those events, but there are also benefits to regional centres like the Battlefords, given the fact that we’re only an hour and a half away from Saskatoon.” 

On top of the importance of a new sports complex, a new arena also helps the community stay ready for an emergency. 

“It will strengthen emergency preparedness by giving Northwest Saskatchewan a place to gather, coordinate support and respond with greater resilience in times of need,” Hawtin said. 

“Last summer was a great example. We had a lot of residents from Northwest Saskatchewan coming into North Battleford as the community that funnels the highway into the province, and we’d like to be able to serve those residents better in partnership with the province.”

In a media release, the city stated the project would create 200 to 250 jobs during a 24-month construction period and generate an estimated $58 million in local spending in the Battlefords. 

In addition to jobs and revenue during construction, the city said the project would support up to 150 additional full-time jobs including: 

• Event coordination 
• Technical production, staging, and audio/video services 
• Food and beverage services 
• Hospitality and accommodations 
• Restaurants 
• Retail 
• Fuel and transportation 
• Professional services 

Once complete, the arena is projected to welcome 220,000 annual visitors and generate an estimated $15 million to $18 million in annual regional economic activity. 

Pending government funding, the project is anticipated to break ground in the summer of 2027. 

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com