A New Era for Strathcona Gardens: Third Arena Approved

(Campbell River, BC) – A partnership between the Strathcona Regional District and the City of Campbell River creates a new era for community recreation.

 

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is excited to announce the addition of a third sheet of ice at Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex as part of the REC-REATE Phase Two arena improvements project.

 

Following significant community feedback on the initial Phase Two concept, the Strathcona Gardens Commission revisited the approach. In collaboration with the City of Campbell River, a revised solution was identified - one that better reflects community priorities while balancing operational needs and long-term financial sustainability. The expansion has been made possible through this strengthened partnership and the integration of City-owned lands at Pinecrest Park into the project design.

 

The new third ice sheet will be constructed in the existing Strathcona Gardens parking lot. This addition will significantly expand capacity for programs, tournaments, and community events. The project is being delivered within SRD’s approved budget, inclusive of the existing borrowing authority under Bylaw No. 607 - no additional borrowing will be required.

 

A phased construction approach is planned to keep both existing arenas fully operational during construction of the third sheet, minimizing disruption to user groups and the public. This builds on the successful phased delivery of the new aquatic centre, where services were maintained throughout construction.

 

The arena project also includes an estimated 370 new off-site parking stalls within Pinecrest Park, along with approximately 130 on-site stalls in the east and west parking lots, for a total of approximately 500 parking stalls across both locations. The parking plan includes dedicated spaces for accessible parking, priority parking, buses, deliveries, and passenger pick-up and drop-off activities. To support safe and convenient access to the facility, a covered, paved, and well-lit pedestrian walkway, approximately 220 metres in length, will connect the new parking area to the facility through a trail system from Pinecrest Park adjacent to the RCMP Building.

 

“This is a tremendous and long-anticipated step forward for recreation in our region,” said Susan Sinnott, Chair of the Strathcona Gardens Commission. “Thank you to our community for their valuable feedback and patience, and to the dedicated SRD and City staff, whose hard work and strategic thinking brought us to this point. By pausing to strengthen the plan and carrying forward key elements of the existing design, we can enhance the Rod Brind’Amour Arena and add a third ice sheet—building on a strong foundation while meeting the growing needs of our community.”

 

The project will now move into detailed design, with completion anticipated in spring 2029. As plans advance, the SRD looks forward to sharing further updates with the community.

 

A Second Artificial Turf Field Proposed for Robron Park
 

The City has proposed to replace the existing soccer field at Pinecrest Park with a second artificial turf field to be located on underutilized School District lands behind Robron School to ensure continued access for field users. This is the logical next step to creating a soccer hub at Robron Park, with access to the fieldhouse and other amenities. Student use would be prioritized on weekdays, with community use on evenings and weekends.

 

A proposal has been submitted to the School District - which would see the full cost of construction to be borne by the City with the hope that detailed design could commence immediately, with construction to begin in early 2027. Building on the success of the temporary Robron off-leash dog park, the project would also include the relocation and replacement of a permanent off-leash dog park within the Robron area which has become a well-loved public amenity.

 

"We were hopeful that we could get approval this Spring to move forward with the Robron Park project, but understand the School Board has decided to wait until 2027 to make a decision. I encourage anyone with questions regarding their decision to contact the School Board directly at natalie.crawshaw@sd72.bc.ca. The City remains committed to the construction of a second artificial turf field and will hold that funding in place pending the approval from the new School Board," said City of Campbell River Mayor Kermit Dahl. "Alternatively, we will look for land at another location to construct our second artificial turf field as we know that is an existing need to support our active community."

 

To stay up to date on the REC-REATE project and other SRD news, visit srd.ca, follow the SRD on social media, or subscribe for email updates through the website. More information about the Strathcona Gardens REC-REATE Project, is available at RecreateSG.ca.

 

To stay up to date on City projects visit campbellriver.ca, follow the City on social media, or subscribe for email updates through the City website.

 

Quotes from User Group Representatives:
 

• Campbell River Minor Hockey - Sean Taylor, First Vice President “We support this project 100%. Looking forward to the shovels in the ground. It’s amazing that something worked out, something we needed since I played hockey as a kid. Our 660 members will be very happy.”

 

• Campbell River Figure Skating Club - Kelsey Cochrane, Vice President “We’re in support of the new ice sheet and looking forward to using it all year. A third rink is amazing. This is great for all users, and we’re happy that everyone gets what they need as our community continues to grow. No one is left behind.”

 

• CR Women’s Hockey League (CRWHL) - Kellie Hogue, Treasurer “As a director, player and the representative for the CRWHL, I can say that our League is absolutely thrilled at the current prospect of a third sheet of ice in Campbell River. We can't thank those involved enough for listening to the users and coming back with everything we have been asking for; No loss of ice time and at the same expense we are already working with... what more could we ask for? We will back this project 100%! We can't wait to see the drawings!”

 

 

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MEDIA CONTACT:

• Dave Leitch - SRD Chief Administrative Officer 250-830-6703 I dleitch@srd.ca

• Elle Brovold- City of Campbell River Chief Administrative Officer 250-286-5709 | elle.brovold@campbellriver.ca