Alberta government grant helps fund new ice plant for Redcliff arena

“For the community as a whole and the different user groups in here, it’s great news,” Martin said.

“It’s a small detail in terms of what you see up front, but certainly it’s like a car getting a new engine, basically, in this replacement.”

The new ice plant will also be more environmentally-friendly and cost less to run, officials said. The current system has been in place since the arena opened in 1974.

Premier Danielle Smith was on-hand as MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat to present the cheque on Tuesday.

She received a tour of the arena and spent time talking to constituents about the trade war launched by U.S. President Donald Trump. Smith didn’t offer any comment to reporters.

The Town of Redcliff’s parks and facilities manager Tom Carney said the effort to replace the old rink refrigeration system started when other improvements were being made.

“A couple years ago, we looked at a project to upgrade our arena boards and slab, and at that time, we identified our ice plant as being a little bit aged,” Carney said.

The hockey association and the town first started working together in 2023 to replace the plant after it completed the other upgrades.

With funding now secured, the town is accepting tenders.

Premier Danielle Smith presented a $740,000 cheque for an ice plant replacement on March 4, 2025. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

Officials said they hope to have the arena’s new ice plant installed and operational by the upcoming 2025-26 winter season.

Carney said amenities like the arena are crucial for smaller communities like Redcliff.

“People move to communities because of their recreation facilities, whether it’s their pools or their arenas,” he said.

The “economic spin-off” from large-scale events hosted at Redcliff Rec-Tangle Arena benefits local businesses as well, said Carney.

“Recreation in general is a very positive thing for any community,” he added.

by Eli J. Ridder

Alberta government grant helps fund new ice plant for Redcliff arena

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