Spruce Grove looks to build $79-million event centre

Facility would be part of 50-hectare Westwind commercial development

The City of Spruce Grove is considering building a $79-million sports and event centre it says will be part of the largest development in the community’s history.

The site would feature two ice surfaces, one with seating for up to 5,300 people and private suites, and a second community pad providing room for up to 200 spectators.

The facility is also intended to host a variety of events, including sports tournaments, trade shows, craft fairs, conferences, concerts, graduations, memorials and award ceremonies, the city says in a news release.

It would be part of the Westwind development, a planned commercial, hospitality and entertainment project on 50 hectares of land the city assembled in 2008 at Yellowhead Highway and Century Road.

Westwind would be Spruce Grove’s largest development, featuring stores, offices, hotels, restaurants, housing, a transit park-andride as well as the sports centre.

The city reached an agreement to go ahead with the scheme in 2010 with One Properties (the company partnered with the Katz Group to develop Edmonton’s Ice District) and Beaverbrook Development.

Councillors are expected to vote on whether to build the sports and event centre next January following public consultation and further work on the concept.

The plan is to cover construction costs through grants, future developer levies and borrowing, with the loan repaid using property taxes from the rest of the development so there’s no local tax increase.

Officials say the sports and event centre could be completed in 2020. If it isn’t approved, they warn the Westwind development will have a smaller economic impact than expected and will take 15 years to complete instead of the anticipated seven years.

The total facility would require $310 million in construction spending.

Two public presentations will be held in Spruce Grove on Monday at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Horizon Stage, 1001 Calahoo Rd.