Government of Canada and the City of Edmonton Celebrate Downtown Community Arena Grand Opening

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Sept. 25, 2016) - Making investments in public infrastructure creates jobs, strengthens the middle class and connects people to their communities by allowing them to be active participants, both socially and economically.

Together with local residents, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Scott McKeen, Ward 6 City Councillor, today marked the official opening of Edmonton's Downtown Community Arena, celebrating a brand-new facility where friends and families can gather together and enjoy more recreational on-ice opportunities, have fun, and connect with others in their community.

Part of the revitalization of Edmonton's downtown district, the Arena will provide year-round skating availability, including adult shinny, general public skate times, early morning adults-only sessions, afternoon skates for older adults, and parents and tots times.

The Downtown Community Arena was built with citizens in mind and is easily accessible by public transportation.

Quotes

"Through the predictable, reliable, long-term funding of the federal Gas Tax Fund, communities across Alberta and the rest of Canada direct federal dollars towards their local infrastructure priorities like this recreational facility. The Government of Canada is proud that the flexibility of this fund allows municipalities to fund a wide range of great projects which help ensure increased mobility, greater economic opportunities, and sustainable communities, all while creating good, well-paying jobs that can help the middle class grow and prosper."

- The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The Downtown Community Arena was an important part of our commitment to ensuring a significant community benefit would come along with the Roger's Place development. It's accessible and offers great City programming every week, including some no-cost opportunities. I think it will have a positive impact on communities in the downtown core."

- His Worship Don Iveson, Mayor of Edmonton

"MacEwan University is both grateful and proud to be a partner in the Downtown Community Arena. That the Griffins hockey teams will now have a new permanent home so close to our campus, really is a dream come true."

- David Atkinson, President of MacEwan University

"The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation is dedicated to changing lives and improving communities throughout northern Alberta. We believe this funding and subsequent partnership can create a lasting impact for inner city residents."

- Natalie Minckler, Executive Director of the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation

Quick Facts

• While the City owns the Downtown Community Arena, the $24.9 million facility is the result of strong partnerships:
  • The Government of Canada contributed $7 million through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
  • MacEwan University, whose Griffins men's and women's hockey teams will call the new arena home ice, contributed $3.5 million for additional enhancements including locker rooms and extra seating for spectators.
  • Additional programming support comes from the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation which, along with the Katz Family, contributed $1 million for the creation of a fund. Named for former Edmonton Oilers head coach Glen Sather, the fund will support programming to serve the highest-needs residents in the community. It will be jointly administered by the City of Edmonton and the Katz Group, and a committee will collaborate to plan and implement programming for the Downtown Community Arena.

Associated links

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $120-billion infrastructure plan:

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/index-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Alberta: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/ab-eng.html

The federal Gas Tax Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html

The Downtown Community Arena: www.edmonton.ca/downtowncommunityarena

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada