New Arena, Parking & Covered Path
Planning the Next Phase of REC-REATE
Phase 2 of REC-REATE focuses on the long-term future of arena recreation, parking and access at Strathcona Gardens.
The project has evolved considerably through planning, detailed design, financial review and consideration of alternative approaches. The current direction includes a third sheet of ice, along with improvements to parking and site access.
2015–2018 | Assessing the Long-Term Need
- The early planning work for REC-REATE considered the needs of the entire Strathcona Gardens facility, including its arena spaces.
- A Facility Needs Assessment and Facility Condition Assessment identified aging infrastructure and the need to plan for future recreation demand.
- Feasibility planning followed, including community and user group engagement and development of options for the future of Strathcona Gardens.
- View – Facility Needs Assessment
- View – Facility Condition Assessment
- View – Revitalization Feasibility Study
- View – New Build Expansion Study Appendix
2019 | Schematic Design
- Schematic design work established a long-term vision for Strathcona Gardens that included improvements to the aquatic, wellness and arena facilities.
- The SRD ultimately moved forward with the project in phases, with Aquatic & Wellness proceeding first and arena improvements planned as Phase 2.
January 2023 | Arena Improvements Move Forward
- The Strathcona Gardens Commission supported moving forward with the Rod Brind’Amour Arena as the next phase of REC-REATE.
- The SRD Board subsequently approved proceeding with detailed design for the arena improvements.
2023 | Phase 2 Detailed Design Begins
- The SRD moved forward with Phase 2 using the same design and construction management team working on Phase 1.
- Detailed design of the proposed Rod Brind’Amour Arena redevelopment began in late 2023.
Spring 2025 | Detailed Design Completed
- Detailed design for the proposed Rod Brind’Amour Arena redevelopment was completed in Spring 2025.
- The design included significant upgrades to the arena and supporting spaces.
- Based on the Class A cost estimate, the proposed Phase 2 project was estimated at approximately $61.2 million.
May 2025 | Borrowing Bylaw Advances
- The Regional Board gave first, second and third readings to the Strathcona Gardens Recreation Facility Loan Authorization Bylaw.
- The bylaw proposed borrowing up to $57.1 million to fund Phase 2.
- The Board also approved proceeding with an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to obtain elector approval for the borrowing.
July–September 2025 | Alternative Approval Process
- The Alternative Approval Process was conducted to determine whether elector approval could be obtained for the proposed borrowing.
Fall 2025 | Electoral Approval Obtained
- Following completion of the Alternative Approval Process, elector approval was obtained for the borrowing bylaw.
- The SRD continued evaluating the proposed Phase 2 project before proceeding to construction.
2025–2026 | Reviewing the Phase 2 Approach
Following detailed design and the borrowing approval process, the SRD continued to evaluate how Phase 2 could best address:
- Long-term arena needs
- Demand for additional ice capacity
- Construction impacts on existing arena operations
- Parking
- Site access
- Project costs and available funding
This work led to consideration of an alternative approach to the original Rod Brind’Amour Arena redevelopment.
2026 | Exploring a Third Arena
- The SRD and City of Campbell River explored an opportunity to incorporate City-owned Pinecrest Park lands into the project and construct a third sheet of ice.
- The approach offered an opportunity to increase ice capacity while allowing the two existing arenas to remain operational during construction.
June 2026 | Third Arena Approved
In June 2026, the SRD approved a new direction for REC-REATE Phase 2 in partnership with the City of Campbell River. The revised plan includes:
- A new third sheet of ice
- Continued operation of the two existing arenas during construction
- Expanded parking using Pinecrest Park lands
- Improved pedestrian connections between parking and Strathcona Gardens
- Improvements to site access and circulation
The third-arena approach replaces the previous plan to proceed directly with the Rod Brind’Amour Arena redevelopment as originally designed.
Next Steps | Detailed Design & Construction Planning
- With the new Phase 2 direction approved, the project will move through the next stages of design, approvals, procurement and construction planning.
- Future milestones and construction dates will be added as the project progresses.