Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track
Overview
About the Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track Project
The Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track Project is an RDCK initiative stemming from the Reimagining Recreation community engagement process conducted between April 2024 and March 2025. Through that process, residents of the City of Castlegar and Area J identified support for a tax increase to fund a new secondary indoor arena and walking track. In June 2025, the Castlegar & District Community Complex Recreation Commission directed staff to advance planning for the potential facility, including the development of a new service bylaw encompassing City of Castlegar and Area J residents that would fund construction, long-term borrowing, and asset renewal of the new amenities at the Castlegar & District Recreation Complex.
For updates about the project, please see the “Updates” tab.
For information related to the Reimagining Recreation engagement process, including survey results and the final report, please select the “Documents” tab.
For more information about the Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track project, please see the FAQ’s below.
Questions? Contact us at communications@rdck.bc.ca(External link).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have you chosen to move forward with a secondary indoor arena and walking track as the project?
The proposed project is guided by feedback from the Reimagining Recreation engagement process, which helped identify which amenities were a top priority for the community to be added at the Castlegar & District Community Complex. Both amenities (secondary indoor arena and walking track) were the top amenities identified by residents.
Why does the new service bylaw, that would fund a new secondary indoor arena and walking track, only include the City of Castlegar and Area J as participants?
The Reimagining Recreation engagement process identified residents of the City of Castlegar and Area J as the two areas who supported a tax increase to fund a new secondary indoor arena and walking track.
How will Area I contribute if they won’t be included in the new service bylaw to fund the build and asset renewal of the new project?
If the project moves forward, following voter approval by City of Castlegar and Area J residents, Area I would contribute to the ongoing operation and maintenance of the new amenity through the existing Service 222 – Castlegar and District Community Facilities, Recreation, Parks and Leisure.
How much could taxes increase for Area I residents if the new project moves forward?
At this time, it’s not possible to determine exact contributions from Area I. No final cost estimates have been developed as we are still in the early planning stages, and the project has not been finalized.
However, it’s important to note that if a new facility is approved, previously budgeted operations and maintenance costs for the Pioneer Arena would shift to the new recreation amenity. These costs could be higher or lower than the costs to operate and maintain Pioneer arena. As that facility was treated as “end-of-life,” limited funds were allocated for major maintenance needs. It is unknown whether operating and maintenance costs of the new facility would be comparable to the Pioneer Arena. This will be more closely reviewed as part of the planning processes.
Area I’s contribution would continue to come through S222, which covers day-to-day operations, maintenance, and programming. This ensures that Area I continues to support the ongoing function of the facility, even though they would not be contributing to capital construction costs or long-term asset renewal.
How much could taxes increase for City of Castlegar and Area J residents if the new project goes ahead?
It’s too early to determine what the exact tax impact would be. The project is still in the concept and planning stage, and no final design, cost estimate, or borrowing amount has been approved.
If the project moves forward, the City of Castlegar and Area J, through the proposed new service bylaw, would be responsible for funding the capital construction costs and asset renewal of the new facility. Once more detailed project and financial information become available, residents will have an opportunity to review the estimated costs and understand potential tax impacts before any decisions are made.
What would the new service bylaw do?
The new service bylaw would be comprised of City of Castlegar and Area J residents and would fund the construction, long-term borrowing and long-term asset renewal of an arena and indoor walking track at the Castlegar & District Recreation Complex.
What does Service 222 do?
Service 222 provides the overall management of all the services funded by the communities of Castlegar and Areas I and J. This service funds day-to-day operations and continued maintenance. This establishment bylaw of this service funds recreational and park facilities, programming and allows the Commission to fund outside organisations that are in alignment with the RDCK and the Castlegar & District Recreation Commission strategic priorities. All planning work is done in this service.
Why have you hired HCMA?
The Commission directed staff to hire HCMA to develop concept designs and cost estimates for a project that would include a secondary indoor ice sheet and walking track at the Castlegar & District Community Complex.
Is the RDCK considering alternative funding sources in addition to taxation?
The RDCK submitted a Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF) application, in September 2025, requesting $7 million to support the project. No funding decision has been made yet, and the timeline for a decision related to the grant application is currently undetermined.
Is the RDCK moving ahead with the new project without asking residents first?
No. No final decisions have been made about building a new recreation facility. The RDCK and the Castlegar & District Recreation Commission are in the planning and information-gathering stage about a new recreation facility that supports a second sheet of ice and a walking track based on the feedback received during the Reimagining Recreation public engagement project.
A new service bylaw has been drafted to outline how a potential new facility could be funded and managed, but it has not been approved or finalized. This bylaw is a key part of the planning process to explore options and establish the groundwork for a potential new indoor arena and walking track.
Before any new service bylaw could be adopted to fund construction or borrowing for a new facility, residents of the City of Castlegar and Area J would have the opportunity to vote through a referendum. This means the project cannot proceed without public approval.
Updates
Updates
June 11, 2026: Castlegar & District Arena Project Advances to Pre-Qualification Stage
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is sharing an update on the Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track Project, which has now moved into the Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) stage.
Issued on May 28, 2026, the RFPQ invites qualified design-build firms to submit information about their experience and capacity to deliver the project proposed. This is the first step in a two-stage process used to identify design build firms best suited for a project of this scale.
A design-build approach brings design and construction together under one contract, with a single proponent responsible for delivering the project from concept through construction.
Through the RFPQ, the RDCK anticipates shortlisting up to two proponents. Those proponents would then be invited to participate in a Request for Proposals (RFP), expected to be issued in late July 2026. During the RFP stage, the shortlisted design-build firms will develop more detailed designs, project approaches, and pricing proposals within the defined budget, which will be submitted to the RDCK for evaluation and consideration.
After a proponent is conditionally selected through the RFP process, the project would proceed to community consultation, followed by a referendum for voter approval. Through the referendum, residents of the City of Castlegar and Area J would vote to establish a new service and approve the borrowing amount bylaw required to move the proposed project forward. Without voter assent on these two items, the proposed project cannot proceed.
The proposed project includes a new arena with an NHL-size ice surface and an overhead walking track, integrated with the existing Castlegar & District Community Complex.
Project Timeline
- April 2024 – March 2025: Reimagining Recreation Community Engagement
- June 2025: Commission directed staff to review bylaws, develop funding models, and advance planning for a secondary arena and walking track.
- September 2025: Strategic Priorities Fund grant application submitted
- September 2025 – May 2026: Project framework and requirements development
- May 29, 2026: Request for Pre-Qualification issued
- June 26, 2026: Request for Pre-Qualification closes
- Late July 2026: RFP is issued to shortlisted proponents
- Mid September 2026: Request For Proposal process closes
- November 28, 2026: Tentative referendum date
The project is still in the early stages and remains subject to several approvals, including bylaws, Board approval, and voter assent through a referendum. All dates listed in the above timeline are subject to change.
October 2025: Castlegar & District Community Complex Facility Enhancement Project Update
The Castlegar & District Recreation Commission is in the planning stages for a potential secondary indoor arena and walking track at the Castlegar & District Community Complex.
Since June, staff have been reviewing current bylaws, developing funding models, and working with HCMA Architecture + Design to create concept designs and cost estimates for the proposed project.
At the October 17, 2025 RDCK Board meeting, the Board approved proposed amendments to the existing Service Bylaws S222 and S227. The Board also approved the development of a new service establishment bylaw and a loan authorization bylaw that would fund the construction and asset renewal of a secondary indoor arena and walking track. The new service bylaw would include residents of the City of Castlegar and Electoral Area J, while ongoing operations and maintenance would continue under the current service bylaw (S222), which includes Castlegar, Area J, and Area I residents. The new service bylaw can only move forward if it’s approved by voters through a referendum.
The potential project is guided by feedback from the Reimagining Recreation engagement process, where residents of Castlegar and Area J identified a secondary indoor arena and walking track as the top priorities for a new recreation amenity at the Castlegar & District Community Complex.
The RDCK has also submitted a $7 million Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF) grant application to support the funding for a potential secondary indoor arena and walking track. The timeline for a decision related to the grant application is currently undetermined.
No final decisions have been made, and residents will be consulted before the new service establishment and loan authorization bylaws can be adopted. The RDCK and the Castlegar & District Recreation Commission remain in the planning and information-gathering stage and are committed to keeping the community informed as planning, design, and funding discussions progress.
This project page will serve as the central source for all project-related news and resources. Check back as we will continue to post updates here or subscribe to email notifications.
You can also view the FAQ for further information.
Reimagining Recreation Engagement
The Reimagining Recreation public engagement project invited residents from Castlegar and Areas I and J to share their ideas for the future of recreation services. Through three phases of engagement, including community meetings, resident and group surveys, and follow-up consultations, the RDCK gathered input on what enhancements and amenities are most important, both at the Castlegar & District Community Complex and throughout the wider area.
The process helped identify community priorities, assess willingness to fund improvements, and guide future planning to ensure the Complex continues to grow as a vibrant community hub. The final report summarizing all feedback and findings can be read here.
Documents
Reimagining Recreation Final Report
Phase 3 - Community Review Synopsis
Phase 2 - Survey What We Heard Report
Phase 1 - Community Meetings What We Heard
Open House Panels
Community Meeting Workbook
S222 and S227 Service Area Map
Castlegar and Areas I & J Master Plan
FAQ - Pioneer Arena
About the Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track Project
The Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track Project is an RDCK initiative stemming from the Reimagining Recreation community engagement process conducted between April 2024 and March 2025. Through that process, residents of the City of Castlegar and Area J identified support for a tax increase to fund a new secondary indoor arena and walking track. In June 2025, the Castlegar & District Community Complex Recreation Commission directed staff to advance planning for the potential facility, including the development of a new service bylaw encompassing City of Castlegar and Area J residents that would fund construction, long-term borrowing, and asset renewal of the new amenities at the Castlegar & District Recreation Complex.
For updates about the project, please see the “Updates” tab.
For information related to the Reimagining Recreation engagement process, including survey results and the final report, please select the “Documents” tab.
For more information about the Castlegar & District Arena and Walking Track project, please see the FAQ’s below.
Questions? Contact us at communications@rdck.bc.ca(External link).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have you chosen to move forward with a secondary indoor arena and walking track as the project?
The proposed project is guided by feedback from the Reimagining Recreation engagement process, which helped identify which amenities were a top priority for the community to be added at the Castlegar & District Community Complex. Both amenities (secondary indoor arena and walking track) were the top amenities identified by residents.
Why does the new service bylaw, that would fund a new secondary indoor arena and walking track, only include the City of Castlegar and Area J as participants?
The Reimagining Recreation engagement process identified residents of the City of Castlegar and Area J as the two areas who supported a tax increase to fund a new secondary indoor arena and walking track.
How will Area I contribute if they won’t be included in the new service bylaw to fund the build and asset renewal of the new project?
If the project moves forward, following voter approval by City of Castlegar and Area J residents, Area I would contribute to the ongoing operation and maintenance of the new amenity through the existing Service 222 – Castlegar and District Community Facilities, Recreation, Parks and Leisure.
How much could taxes increase for Area I residents if the new project moves forward?
At this time, it’s not possible to determine exact contributions from Area I. No final cost estimates have been developed as we are still in the early planning stages, and the project has not been finalized.
However, it’s important to note that if a new facility is approved, previously budgeted operations and maintenance costs for the Pioneer Arena would shift to the new recreation amenity. These costs could be higher or lower than the costs to operate and maintain Pioneer arena. As that facility was treated as “end-of-life,” limited funds were allocated for major maintenance needs. It is unknown whether operating and maintenance costs of the new facility would be comparable to the Pioneer Arena. This will be more closely reviewed as part of the planning processes.
Area I’s contribution would continue to come through S222, which covers day-to-day operations, maintenance, and programming. This ensures that Area I continues to support the ongoing function of the facility, even though they would not be contributing to capital construction costs or long-term asset renewal.
How much could taxes increase for City of Castlegar and Area J residents if the new project goes ahead?
It’s too early to determine what the exact tax impact would be. The project is still in the concept and planning stage, and no final design, cost estimate, or borrowing amount has been approved.
If the project moves forward, the City of Castlegar and Area J, through the proposed new service bylaw, would be responsible for funding the capital construction costs and asset renewal of the new facility. Once more detailed project and financial information become available, residents will have an opportunity to review the estimated costs and understand potential tax impacts before any decisions are made.
What would the new service bylaw do?
The new service bylaw would be comprised of City of Castlegar and Area J residents and would fund the construction, long-term borrowing and long-term asset renewal of an arena and indoor walking track at the Castlegar & District Recreation Complex.
What does Service 222 do?
Service 222 provides the overall management of all the services funded by the communities of Castlegar and Areas I and J. This service funds day-to-day operations and continued maintenance. This establishment bylaw of this service funds recreational and park facilities, programming and allows the Commission to fund outside organisations that are in alignment with the RDCK and the Castlegar & District Recreation Commission strategic priorities. All planning work is done in this service.
Why have you hired HCMA?
The Commission directed staff to hire HCMA to develop concept designs and cost estimates for a project that would include a secondary indoor ice sheet and walking track at the Castlegar & District Community Complex.
Is the RDCK considering alternative funding sources in addition to taxation?
The RDCK submitted a Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF) application, in September 2025, requesting $7 million to support the project. No funding decision has been made yet, and the timeline for a decision related to the grant application is currently undetermined.
Is the RDCK moving ahead with the new project without asking residents first?
No. No final decisions have been made about building a new recreation facility. The RDCK and the Castlegar & District Recreation Commission are in the planning and information-gathering stage about a new recreation facility that supports a second sheet of ice and a walking track based on the feedback received during the Reimagining Recreation public engagement project.
A new service bylaw has been drafted to outline how a potential new facility could be funded and managed, but it has not been approved or finalized. This bylaw is a key part of the planning process to explore options and establish the groundwork for a potential new indoor arena and walking track.
Before any new service bylaw could be adopted to fund construction or borrowing for a new facility, residents of the City of Castlegar and Area J would have the opportunity to vote through a referendum. This means the project cannot proceed without public approval.
Key Dates
The project is still in the early stages and remains subject to several approvals. The referendum date is subject to change depending on those approvals.
Project Area
- City of Castlegar
- Area J
