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Bill Hunter Arena Renovations Improve Sports Experience for Players and Spectators

February 20, 2010

Hockey teams and public skaters are back on the ice as the newly-renovated Bill Hunter Arena officially reopens.  

“This renovation and reopening gives a new face to an old friend,” said Councillor Linda Sloan. “The Bill Hunter Arena has been a sports and enjoyment destination for decades and this renewal ensures that it will continue to be for decades to come.”   

The $5.8 million infrastructure upgrades at Bill Hunter Arena have made the facility more energy efficient and extended its lifespan. Improvements include:

Accessibility

Better accessibility for persons with disabilities including new arena viewing areas for wheelchairs, wheelchair-accessible washrooms, power-assist doors, and the creation of an exterior ramp and walkway.

For Spectators

Creation of a larger, wide-open lobby with panoramic view of the arena below, new meeting room with food servery, new ticket sales booth and concession space, and the entire arena has been repainted.

For Players

Development of six new dressing rooms with separate showers/washrooms located immediately across from ice surface, two new referee dressing rooms with showers/washrooms, player warm-up area adjacent ice surface, new skate flooring, storage spaces with lockable cages for team equipment, relocated arena attendant office next to ice surface, and replaced arena puck boards.

Environmental

Removal of asbestos/mould, upgrade of electrical/mechanical systems, refurbishment of ice plant chiller system using an ozone-friendly refrigerant, new motion-activated lighting in dressing rooms, and new high-efficiency arena lighting over the arena.

“I have many great memories of Bill Hunter Arena,” said Chris Hurley, President of the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association. “My sons played hockey at the arena and my wife and myself coached in the arena. It is my hope that many children and families will enjoy the time they spend at the newly-renovated Bill Hunter Arena and have those memories to pass on to their children and grandchildren for many years to come.”

“Bill Hunter is truly the home of lacrosse in Edmonton, and home for the West Edmonton Blues, the city’s oldest lacrosse club,” said Darlene Anders, President of the Greater Edmonton Lacrosse Council. “The renovations to Bill Hunter Arena have made it a great venue for lacrosse in Edmonton, and we look forward to many more lacrosse games being played here.” 

“Edmonton’s hockey arenas and sports facilities are where our children develop a passion for being active,” said Doreen Ryan, Edmonton Olympian, former speed skater and first woman inducted into the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame. “As all eyes are focused on the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, we should take a moment to remember that many a Canadian sports career started in a neighbourhood arena such as this one.”

The arena is one of Edmonton’s larger sports venues with a capacity of 1,600 spectators and is used by approximately 43,000 people annually for hockey, ringette, skating, lacrosse, and other activities. The Bill Hunter Arena originally opened to the public in 1963. 

For the duration of the renovation closure, Bill Hunter users were accommodated at other City of Edmonton arenas. All user groups have been notified of the reopening and year-round bookings for the facility have resumed.

The Bill Hunter Arena redevelopment is part of the City of Edmonton’s Strategic Plan, Recreation Facility Master Plan, Medium Term Recreation Facility and Sports Field Plan, and the 10-Year Arena Capital Development Strategy.

Bill Hunter Arena is located adjacent to the Jasper Place Fitness and Leisure Centre/Jasper Place Annex on the Johnny Bright Sports Park site at 9200–163 Street. 

For more information:

Roger Jevne

Joe Kaparchuk