Agriplex renos begin to create multi-use facility for sports and events

The renovations of the Agriplex at the C2 are underway, meaning sooner rather than later; it will be a multi-use sports and events space.

Planned originally back in 2018, the renovation has begun with contractor Genmec doing the work from floor to ceiling.

The goal of the reno is to better use the space at the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre, taking away pressure from the current field house to allow for more drop-in sports opportunities while having another area that can host weddings or small concerts.

“It’s really a community multiplex,” said C2 general manager Les Parsons.

“It’s to make it a multiplex facility that can be used for recreation, drop in sports, league sports, any sports. So to have an omnisport, multipurpose floor that can also be used as a dance floor for a wedding…It can be used for events, or special events or community events, like a community hall,” he said. 

“It’ll take the pressure off of the field house because what we have rebuilt the field house, it’s booked from 3:30 until 9:30 pm, just about seven days a week.” 

The project had initially been stalled because of the need from Bonnyville Centralized High School. When modernization of their current facility was underway, they moved to the makeshift classrooms built at the Agriplex while waiting for their upgrades. Since they are back home, the planned renos could begin.

Last year, the original roof of the building was replaced and is now waterproof, and they are hoping soon for the shipment of the floor for installation.

Parsons said the project’s cost of the project is roughly $1 million, but the C2 has applied for a CFEP grant (Community Facility Enhancement Program) that could help offset up to 50 percent of the cost.

“It really meets the needs of the community. I found that I’m almost not quite a year into my tenure here, but people want access to the facility for more drop-in sports and more access to gym time in the evenings when the schools are closed. And so this helps fit the bill for that,” said Parsons.

“If people want to have a dance and a wedding, and we have been, we’ve got a couple booked for the field house right now; this provides a nice quality center with a catering kitchen right beside, decided for a wedding, or a family function, or a small business function of any size.”

The project’s goal is to be done by the fall, but the C2 will update residents if there are delays.