For quite some time the ice users that call the Coaldale Arena home have expressed a shared interest in enhancing and expanding the entire facility. Along with the Arena, Coaldale's Pool has undergone a number of upgrades over the years - the most recent being in 2019, at which point the contractor overseeing the upgrade suggested the pool is nearing the end of its life.
Accordingly, on June 9, 2021, The Arena Enhancement Group, with representation from Coaldale Minor Hockey, Coaldale Figure Skating, Coaldale Junior B. Hockey, Adult Hockey, and the local Hockey Academy welcomed aquatic representation to the group, formally forming the Waves & Blades Sportsplex Innovation Working Group. In December, 2021, two representatives from Town Council were added to the group, as well.
The intent for the group is to act as a resource and facilitate various public engagement initiatives as they work through the following scope of work:
1. To prepare a guiding document that can inform the design of an enhanced arena facility that includes a second sheet of ice and a new swimming pool;
2. to obtain preliminary design options for a second sheet of ice that is attached to the existing arena facility and a new swimming pool; and
3. to prepare a business and operating plan that demonstrates how the enhanced facility can be as attainable as possible from a capital and operating budget perspective.
The group continues to meet regularly with a focus on navigating details concerning options for facilities, amenities, locations, the estimated costs associated with a second sheet of ice, its size and a new pool, be it indoor or outdoor. This group is preparing for a community engagement piece this fall. They are looking forward to sharing the information they have already acquired and will be asking the community for its input. An open house and survey will take place this fall (2022).