By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Architect chosen for Blackfalds Multi-Plex expansion project

Jan 14, 2019 | 7:59 AM

Expansion of the Blackfalds Multi-Plex is one step closer to reality after town council unanimously approved last week an architect for the project.

The expansion, which will include a second ice surface and other amenity spaces, will be led by ACI Architects.

“We had great interest with 13 different submissions for our Request for Proposal process and following the review and evaluation process we were able to determine the group that best met the criteria and expectations in moving this project forward,” said Mayor Richard Poole. “The winning group from ACI includes members we have worked with in the past who helped us build our award-winning Abbey Centre.”

An additional ice surface was identified as a community priority within the next seven years through the Town’s 2015 Recreation and Parks Master Plan.

Capital funding for the design and contract development related to the expansion was included in the 2018 budget. The latest step with ACI is going to cost the Town just over $734,000, less than the budgeted amount.

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Pre-construction estimates for the expansion remain at $15 million with construction potentially beginning in 2021.

Meanwhile, the Dual Ice Development Society (DIDS) continues its fundraising efforts in a bid to contribute $1 million to the project. It has raised $28,000 to date in hopes of putting on larger fundraisers.

“We are feeling very excited as a society being that we recently have been given the go-ahead from council and also now have architects hired, so the plans are really moving forward quickly now. This will be a big year for us,” says society president Karen Sernecky.

“We will be going after corporate sponsorships and grants this year to get us close to our million dollar goal. I know it still seems far away, but we are confident and are working so hard as a community and a society to make this happen quickly.

“We have lots of support from other organizations within the community and with all of us working together we will make this possible for our town! It’s not easy, but we are all motivated.” 

The society’s latest endeavour is an event called Raise the Rink, which is happening April 6 at the Blackfalds Multi-Plex (5302 Broadway Avenue). The ticketed event will feature Canadian hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser as guest speaker, and there will be dinner along with a DJ and live and silent auctions.

The event is being put on in conjunction with the Blackfalds Ag Society.