FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.