A Tour of the Energy Centre’s Expansions

The expansions at the Cold Lake Energy Centre are complete after two years of construction, and will soon be open to the public.

“What an impressive arena. This is the second arena, not the showcase one, but it’s going to compliment Imperial Place extremely well,” said Mayor Craig Copeland.

“When we were looking at the design it ticked off all the boxes that we were asking for. From the mini-stick rink to the climbing wall, to the big openness of the arena, so for those parents who like to stand and watch hockey like me, there’s lots of standing room.”

The lounge is above both rinks, and it has the capacity to drop the walls, which provides an excellent view of Imperial Oil Place.

It has a bar and a warming kitchen, and will have spots designated for sponsorships with both the Cold Lake Ice and Wings.

“The lounge is going to be an amazing feature once the furniture is in place. I think it’s really going to play well for Junior A and B tournaments.”

The climbing wall is roughly 30 feet high and scales for different skill levels.

A mini-stick arena sits at the top level of the second rink.

There is a large room that will be used by Portage College during the week, that could play as a tournament room for organizers.

“We wanted a facility so that if Junior B wanted to host the Keystone Cup again, or Junior A wanted to come here for a training camp, or tournament for minor hockey,” said Copeland.

Beside the additions, is the dirt which could be the base for a new aquatic centre. Copeland said that once Cold Lake makes their ten year plan, they will discuss more on the project.

If it were to happen, it will share the energy and heat from the Energy Centre’s two rinks.

“I’m really happy on how it turned out, and everyone on council is.”

The first time the second arena will be used is Wednesday when a hockey camp takes to the ice.