The Future of the Fenlands

Where we are now - Phase 3

Since the Phase 1 and 2 public engagement process in 2021, the Fenlands Future has achieved the following outcomes:

The Fenlands has a summer indoor turf field. The indoor turf field with regulation futsal nets supports a variety of sports such as futsal, lacrosse, soccer, ultimate and more. The turf is the new Nexxfield X-Gen2 high-quality, concussion rated, FIFA approved, zero infill artificial grass (no carpet rolls here!).
A small fitness room now occupies the former Banff Hockey School physio room and includes a mix of free weights, cardio and stationary equipment. Banff residents have daily access to the space, and provides discounted drop-in and membership pass pricing for lower income individuals.

Phase 3: Since the fall of 2024, the Town has been working with the architectural firm HCMA, which specializes in recreation centre design and retrofitting. HCMA has developed drawings that support the facility improvements and new amenities that the community identified as high priority in the 2021-2022 engagement process.

This phase of the project focuses on upgrades to the ice arenas, including seating and improved accessibility, and new amenities in low-utilized areas of the facility. As we are nearing the end of the first phase of the drawings the Town wants to check-in with people in Banff to ensure that the drawings reflect the desired outcomes we heard from the community in 2021. The proposed renovations use the existing building footprint and would require a two-phase construction project that would NOT involve a loss of ice time in the winter season.

Proposed improvements and additions include:

Arena Lobby

Improved entry that reduces heat and cooling loss, easier for those entering or existing with a hockey bag or those with varying mobility levels
Raised ceiling to allow for more airflow, improve the sense of welcome, etc.
Universal washrooms that are near both Arenas 1 and 2
Information desk with improved traffic flow and multiple workstations to improve patron experiences
Viewability into arena’s 1 and 2, bouldering area and second floor arts & culture space

Arenas:

Separating the team meeting space from washroom and showers
New seating in Arena 2
New referee room with universal washrooms and showers along with a separate entrance/exit from the building

Curling Lounge:

New flooring that supports existing users and better supports other multi-purpose uses such as fitness classes
Designated player entrance and boot and coat storage in the new curling hall
Storage for fitness equipment and other multi-purpose classes and programs

New Amenities in existing spaces

Fitness Centre: A 330 square-metre (3,352 square feet) new fitness centre with accessible equipment, showers and changing spaces and viewability into Arena 2.

Boulder Wall: A 28.4-metre long (93-feet) bouldering space with an accessible lift, and boot and coat storage. Total area is 182 square-metres (1,938 square-feet).

Arts & Culture: The existing meetings rooms and third floor hallway would be combined to create a large arts and cultural space. The space would be dividable to allow for two separate activities or programs.

Board Room: The existing space on the third floor by the elevator would be converted into a boardroom that could be used by the community and others. The boardroom and enlarged arts and culture space would be serviced by an universal washroom addition on the third floor.

Phase 3 Public Engagement

Focus Group A - February 10, 2025
Focus Group B - February 13, 2025
Focus Group C - February 19, 2025
Public Information Session - March 5, 2025 - 2 identical sessions:
- 1 - 3 p.m. in Town Hall
  or
- 5 - 7 p.m. in Town Hall

Background

When The Fenlands was built, certain rooms were constructed for specific use by a private hockey school (the Banff Hockey Academy). The hockey school paid the Town for private use of that space. The hockey school left Banff in 2020 and that space became empty. In response, a public engagement process commenced to see how the community would like that space and others in the facility used in future years.

In Phase 1 we asked the public if we should look at changing the space to make it available for public uses, or should the Town look for a new private organization to lease/rent the space for exclusive use by the ice sports organization or business. Overall, we heard that the public would like to see this space used for and by the community.

In Phase 2 we asked the public for feedback on the concept options for the empty lease space and other under utilized spaces based on the feedback received in Phase 1.

Winter ice sports to remain – Some spaces in The Fenlands were not considered for renewal, including the curling or ice rinks for winter sports and curling lounge. But, the rinks could have different uses in the summer season.

Space limits – We did not seek feedback on activities that could not be added inside The Fenlands because of the building’s limitations. The parking area, meadow and surrounding area were also excluded.

New or temporary fieldhouse – Participants were also asked about a variety of options for a potential fieldhouse to inform future planning. Fieldhouses are typically home to indoor sporting events and activities such as soccer, lacrosse, badminton, ultimate frisbee, football and more. Options in Phase 2 included a seasonal turf field on one of the arena dry floor's in the summer.

What We Heard in Phase 1 & 2

The engagement findings were compiled into the What We Heard report and were presented to Council on January 10 and January 24, 2022.

What We Did after Phase 1 & 2

Banff Town Council directed:

(January 24)

Approve the purchase of a removable indoor turf field, and equipment to operate a drop-in cardio and free-weight room and to rent seasonal turf at The Fenlands in 2022 (Option 1), as outlined in the Report, for a total cost of $216,380 to be funded 50 per cent through the General Capital Reserve and 50 per cent through a private donation; and
Direct that this New Service Level be reflected in The Fenlands Operating Budget by way of increasing the associated annual operating revenues and expenditures as outlined in the budget section of this Report.
That Council direct Administration to proceed with Option 3, the Fenlands Future Project, as outlined in the Report and in the Attachment, Opinion of Probable Cost prepared by CostPlan Management Ltd., by approving design costs of $538,000 in pre-design in year 1, 2024, and $1,062,000 in detailed design in year 2, 2025.

Council Directed Administration to proceed with Option 3 of the Fenlands Future Options Report.