Planning work is now underway for the structural repairs of the Memorial Arena as City of Cranbrook council awarded the construction contract and approved the funding on Tuesday.

The Memorial Arena has served the community as a hub for sports and recreation for decades and holds historical significance to many generations in Cranbrook. Ensuring the Memorial Arena continues to be a safe space for many user groups, young people, and families is why efforts are underway repair and extend the facility’s life.

At their special budget meeting on November 7, council approved the Memorial Arena repair contract to New Dawn Developments. Council also approved an interfund (internal borrowing between reserve accounts) loan of up to $3 million from the city’s reserve fund to cover the construction costs, which will be repaid over a 20-year period. The 2024 repayment will start as an interest only repayment resulting in a half percent increase in the property tax rate.

“We are deeply grateful for the trust and confidence placed in New Dawn Developments,” said Chad Jensen, CEO of New Dawn. “Our commitment to excellence and our dedication to creating safe, high-quality environments for our community align perfectly with the goals of this project. We are eager to commence the work and restore this arena for the community to enjoy again.”

“Cranbrook has always been a community that comes together in times of need. This joint effort by local businesses New Dawn Developments, Fabrite, Spartan Scaffolding and Bolen Engineering to come together with a plan to make the necessary structural repairs to the Memorial Arena is another shining example of our community supporting a community cause,” said Mayor Wayne Price.

It may be some time before the public begins to see equipment and activity on the ground around the Memorial Arena as the city and New Dawn work towards construction design and safety and structural enhancement planning over the next several weeks. This community effort is aimed at preserving the legacy of the Memorial Arena while prioritizing safety and creating further enjoyment of the arena for decades to come.

New Dawn Developments is looking to work with many other local sub-contractors and engineers on this project and invites those interested in being part of this community effort to contact their offices.

Early in the structural repair process, the hope is to try first to get the scaffolding installed to support the roof structure beams, which may allow for the ice plant inside Memorial to safely open to get the ice surface operating at the Kinsmen Arena first, while the repairs are underway at the Memorial.

e-KNOW file photo

City of Cranbrook

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