Spring program registration is now open. Create your custom Activity Guide here.
xThe farewell event is taking place on Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kinex Arena
The Kinex Arena has served central Alberta as an ice surface/dry space rental and community hub for over 55 years.
In an effort to allow the community to come together to recognize the important community, sport and recreation history of the Kinex Arena, The City is hosting a farewell event on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Skate with us through the ages as we host themed drop-in skating times with refreshments in the upper mezzanine. The refreshments are free and so are the memories! Walk back in time while reminiscing with historic pictures of the Kinex Arena over the last 55+ years.
Farewell Event
Saturday, April 1
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
4725 A - 43 Street
Behind the Servus Arena (map)
Join us for our free skating times with themed music:
- 10 – 11 a.m. – preschool/family skate with preschool songs
- 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. – 60’s & 70’s public skate
- 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. – 80’s & 90’s public skate
- 1:45 - 2:45 p.m. – 00’s & 10’s public skate
Pre-registration is not required, drop-in when your schedule allows!
Kinex Farewell Event FAQs
Is there a cost to participate at the event?
The event is free for all to attend and all are welcome.
What can I expect at the farewell event?
Free ice time with themed music as follows:
10 – 11 a.m. – preschool/family skate with preschool songs playing
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. – 60’s & 70’s public skate
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. – 80’s & 90’s public skate
1:45 - 2:45 p.m. – 00’s & 10’s public skate
Free refreshments and memories in the upper mezzanine from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Enjoy hot chocolate or coffee while you reminisce with historic pictures of the Kinex Arena through the ages.
Can I bring my hockey/ringette sticks and equipment to the public skating events?
No, for the safety of all participants we ask that all equipment stays at home for the farewell event. Enjoy an unstructured skate or a visit for the last time at the Kinex Arena. Helmets are encouraged.
Do I need to RSVP or reserve spot to attend?
There is no need to reserve your spot, please drop in when your schedule allows!
Kinex Arena Decommission FAQs
Will the Kinex continue to serve the sport community?
No. As the twin arenas open at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre, the Kinex Arena will be decommissioned and no longer used for community sport.
When will the Kinex Arena be decommissioned?
The last day of programming for the Kinex Arena will be on March 26, 2023. A public event will be held to bid farewell to the arena on April 1, 2023 and all public access will cease at the completion of that event. April 1, 2023 is that last day of operation for the sport facility.
Now what happens next to the Kinex Arena?
The facility equipment and fixtures will be inventoried to identify pieces that have continued useful life and value. The City will repurpose the assets in other City owned facilities wherever possible. Any remaining items will be made available to the community in a fair transparent process. An environmental assessment will be completed in the coming months to identify any concerns that may exist with the facility. This information will inform next steps for the Kinex.
Why can’t we keep the Kinex Arena for other purposes like dry space rentals?
The Kinex Arena has reached the end of its lifespan and would require significant investment to update the facility for community sport purposes. A thorough assessment was conducted in 2018 to determine the future viability of the building. Based on the cost estimates, a recommendation was made to maintain the Kinex as needed until the completion of the G.H. Dawe Community Centre project. The City has no current plans for the continued operation of the Kinex Arena.
Can we collect/purchase memory items like puck board, equipment, benches etc. as we did with the Red Deer Arena demolition?
The City will repurpose as much of the equipment and fixtures as possible in other City owned facilities. Any remaining items will be made available to the community in a fair transparent process.
What is The City’s plan for replacing the Kinex Arena and providing more arenas for Red Deerians?
The second arena at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre is the replacement of the Kinex Arena. The City currently has no future plans for adding arena inventory.
The City’s 2016 Ice Facilities Plan identifies threshold targets for arena demand and population growth that would trigger additional ice for our community. At this time, neither population nor demand warrants additional arena space.
Our community has not operated at full arena capacity (six) since 2020. Additionally, prior to 2020, the construction of the Servus Arena and unplanned mechanical shutdown of the Kinsmen Community Arenas led to multiple seasons with only five sheets of ice available. The City’s investment in the arena at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in 2017 further expanded arena access for the community. The opening of the G.H. Dawe Community Centre twin arenas, together with the Servus Arena, the Collicutt Centre Arena and Kinsmen Community Arenas will provide consistent operations to evaluate arena demand that maximize use of our community amenities.