Preliminary site drawing of a four-sheet iceplex on Hillside Drive. (Image Credit: Group 2 Architects)

By James Peters

Build Kamloops

Build Kamloops committee settles on four ice sheets for arena complex

Oct 21, 2024 | 4:05 PM

KAMLOOPS — The arena iceplex that is a major component of the first phase of the Build Kamloops program is beginning to take shape.

At a Build Kamloops Select Committee meeting Monday (Oct. 21), committee members were shown preliminary drawings for two facility options — one containing four sheets of ice and one containing six.

Infrastructure Delivery manager Matt Kachel told the committee the limitations of the chosen property — in the 2000-block of Hillside Drive near Kenna Cartwright Park — play a major factor in the plans. The site is not level and will require significant earth-moving before building construction can begin.

Not only that, Kachel says additional land would need to be acquired in order to contain a six-sheet facility.

“The six-sheet option does not fit within the current site boundaries. The six-plex would also put a large amount of up-front costs into the initial project,” he noted, “and the six-sheet, as it stands doesn’t allow for much else, other than just all sheets of ice. It would limit other factors within the building and not be as flexible as originally planned — but it could work.”

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This preliminary site plan for a six-sheet iceplex was ultimately rejected by the Build Kamloops committee. (Image Credit: Group 2 Architects)

Working with Group 2 Architecture, the city concluded a four-sheet iceplex would allow other amenities to be added to the facility.

“This would be by way of a fitness centre that could be used by our athletes as well as public and dryland space for dryland athlete training during non-ice time,” noted Sport, Recreation and Wellness Manager Sherri Holmes.

The facility could also include a multi-purpose space for meetings and events, office space for staff and sports groups, and licensed food and beverage services.

Committee members agreed the four-plex was the preferred option.

“Maximum utility of the site, balancing the earth works and all the needs that we have. Four was kind of that sweet spot — this is the right amount to build on this site that makes sense,” summarized Kachel, whose reported noted any additional sheets of ice contemplated by the city in the future should be located in other areas of the city.

Construction is slated to begin in 2026.

In September, Kamloops residents approved borrowing up to $275 million for the first phase of the Build Kamloops strategy by not turning up in great enough numbers to oppose the plan as part of an alternative approval process (AAP).