Natasha Baldin/News Staff
Amid a dire need for increased ice times and facilities, Saanich council directed staff to consider a new ice rink as part of the Lambrick Park renewal.
Council voted unanimously June 19 in favour of a directive to consider Gordon Head’s Lambrick Park as the future location of a new arena location, or to explore other locations in Saanich.
Consultants from Cornerstone Planning hired by staff to assess the demand for ice stated the Greater Victoria area is home to a “very well-utilized system of arenas” that are at or near capacity — some of which will be exceeding their lifespan within the next 10 years and will be in need of redevelopment.
Based on increasing population and demand for facilities, consultants projected the region will be facing a shortfall of nearly four sheets of ice by 2041.
The loss of the Ian Stewart Complex, scheduled to close in 2026 and be replaced by new housing developments, is not included in this projection. Losing the facility will “further exacerbate” the need for a new complex, according to the report.
Concerned organizers, coaches and young athletes from the Racquet Club of Victoria and other impacted organizations around the region spoke at the meeting and urged council to address the need for additional ice in the district.
The young figure skaters at the Victoria Racquet Club Skating Club are often on the ice as early as 5:30 a.m. due to lack of available ice later in the day, and then drive as far as Langford or Cowichan for evening training. The skaters said the additional commute times mean they often have to rush to do their homework at school as well as miss out on social events.
Brenda Reder, chair of the Victoria Racquet Club Skating Club, said this is not the first time the organization has addressed council about the lack of adequate ice facilities, adding it was a problem even before the closure of the Ian Stewart Complex was announced.
“As long as I’ve been with the Racquet Club, we have struggled to find adequate ice to provide all the programming we’d really like to be able to provide,” she said.
Ian Fleetwood, president of the Capital Region Female Minor Hockey Association, said female participation in hockey is at an “all-time high” in Greater Victoria after seeing a 50 per cent participation increase in the last four years.
“We know when there’s a female minor hockey association, more girls play,” he said, adding the association is projecting another 27 per cent increase from last season.
As the association is on track to become the largest in the province in the next 18 to 24 months, he stressed the importance of additional ice in Saanich, which houses 40 per cent of its players, but only supplies 13 per cent of its ice.
He added that two ice sheets would be a minimum to meet the increased demand, and he would ideally like to see three or four built across the region.
But a new facility would not come without a large price tag. The estimated cost of building a one-sheet arena facility is $39.9 million, while the cost for a twin-sheet facility would come in at $61.7 million, according to the report.
While all councillors were in favour of the motion, many raised questions about plans to fund the proposed development. Staff said plans are still in the early stages, but it is planning on exploring partnerships with other districts and private stakeholders.
Coun. Judy Brownoff said she was inspired by the enthusiasm of impacted community groups who also offered to help with fundraising.
“I was very excited about different community groups standing up and saying, ‘we want to be there, we want to help you with fundraising, and all those really important things that it takes for a facility of this size to be up and running,’” she said.
She added dry arena spaces during summer months — which traditionally host activities such as lacrosse — could also welcome pickleball players amid outdoor noise complaints.
“This is another part of what could happen on this extra space,” she said.
Staff will be presenting a full plan outlining the scope of the Lambrick Park development by late August or early September.
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