The City of Warman and Warman City Council celebrated the Warman Home Centre Communiplex Arena Expansion Project (WHCCAEP) with a sod-turning event on Monday, June 17
Though ground broke and construction got underway back in February, Warman city council and staff were pleased to officially celebrate the $15.1-million project outdoors and show off the site of this project, set to open in summer 2025. The bid for the project was awarded to Quorex Construction at a Special Meeting of Council on December 19, 2023.
The City was also pleased to be joined by Lyndon and Dallas from AODBT Architecture Interior Design, Evan from Quorex Construction, and Keith Heinrichs, the original Warman Sport and Cultural Village fundraising campaign Chair, to celebrate the occasion.
“This has been 20 years in the making,” said Warman Mayor Gary Philipchuk. “From the first time the Warman Sport and Cultural Village met to plan for more recreational space in Warman, this was the goal; to have a facility to meet the demands of the community.”
The Warman Home Centre Communiplex (WHCC – formerly known as the Legends Centre) has been the pulse and a central hub for the community since it opened to the public over a decade ago.
According to an economic impact study done in 2023 by the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA), the City of Warman’s largest recreation spectator sporting events at the WHCC contribute $14.22-million annually to the local economy.
But, facility demand has outpaced capacity. Warman is home to one of the largest minor hockey and ringette organizations in the province. Currently, Warman Minor Hockey and Ringette are among the only grassroots sports organizations unable to host tournaments due to steady growth and limited facility availability.
The WHCCAEP would ensure all organizations have the ability to hold tournaments and prominent events that showcase the city’s high-quality minor sports, its hospitality, and its beautiful community that is a premier destination to live, work, play and invest in.
“Council is pleased to see how beneficial this facility is to the community as shown in SREDA’s study, even before the expansion,” said Philipchuk. “Adding minor hockey tournaments, expanded programming for other sports and more larger events brings a strong economic impact that will reverberate throughout the community. “
The two-storey arena expansion project features 2,952 square meters on the main floor and 880 square meters on the second.
Facility components include a single ice arena, seating for 205 spectators, six change rooms and a second-floor lounge space with seating for 150 people.
The expansion is accommodated by the existing facility’s ice plant as it was designed to meet the needs of a second ice surface. Support spaces such as mechanical, electrical, storage, office and ice resurfacer areas are also accommodated within the expansion.
The intent of the WHCCAEP is to address the community’s continual growth and the demands of recreational opportunities as the city addresses the uncertainty of the Diamond Rodeo Arena, built in 1967.