Two new ice sheets are closer to reality at the Albion Fairgrounds arena complex
Maple Ridge Council has directed staff to plan for the addition the new ice sheets, which, they believe, will create a hub for arena sports and future needs of the community.
“The expansion of our arena complex is a critical step toward meeting what we’ve heard from residents to address the increased demand for ice and dry floor sports as our community grows,” said City of Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy about the future hub which will eventually feature four rinks and one curling rink.
The City was already planning to add one new rink at the fairgrounds site, where Planet Ice and Golden Ears Winter Club are located.
With the launch of the Recreation Facility Feasibility Study in late 2023, an assessment was completed to see if an ice sheet could be accommodated as part of an aquatic recreation facility at Hammond Community Park.
However, it became clear that Hammond Community Park was not sufficiently large enough to accommodate the desired services as well as the necessary parking.
Given the constraints of the Hammond site, and the need for two additional rinks, the fairground site is the viable option, noted Ruimy, and has the benefit of complementing the existing facility, creating a sports and event hub for the community.
“After completing our due diligence, it was clear Albion is the community’s best option for two additional rinks,” said Ruimy, adding that council is looking forward to hearing from the community to help refine their plans.
The recreation facility feasibility study will now refocus on developing a community recreation and aquatics facility, including a U13- sized baseball diamond, park amenities, and green space for use at Hammond Community Park. The city plans to engage residents on the revised plans for the Hammond facility this spring.
Council’s decision aligns with the Parks, Recreation, and Culture (PRC) Master Plan, which recommends one additional ice sheet in the near term and another in the medium term.
The City is inviting feedback from the community and hosting engagement sessions with key user groups to refine the design concept for the expanded arena facility at the Albion Fairgrounds.
Engagement results will be assessed and refinements to the concept plan made based on the feedback.
The city will submit an application to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) for additional non-farm use of the site to accommodate the two new rinks. The ALC previously approved a single ice sheet at the site in July 2024.
“Council recognizes the urgency of this project and is focused on balancing the scale of new facilities with their impact on our neighbourhoods. We are committed to moving forward efficiently while ensuring the project remains financially feasible,” said Ruimy.
