A report has suggested the possibility of building a new arena in Lethbridge. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Could Lethbridge get a new arena?

Apr 9, 2024 | 2:33 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Administrative staff at the City of Lethbridge will soon start getting to work on some very early planning regarding arenas.

At the city council meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, members voted to investigate potential future scenarios when it comes to the ENMAX Centre.

This follows a recent presentation of the ENMAX Centre Master Plan Final Report, which was completed by The Innovation Group (TIG).

With the ENMAX Centre celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, TIG looked at how the city’s current arena is doing and the possibilities of future work.

From an infrastructure standpoint, the report states that the ENMAX Centre is “structurally sound, well-maintained, and appears to have additional years.”

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They add that, while attendance at Lethbridge Hurricanes games are relatively stable, the biggest opportunities for growth are through other types of entertainment and special events. A major problem with the current arena is that it limits the city’s ability to offer enhanced customer experiences, bring more guests in, and attract new or alternative events.

The three possibilities TIG came up with are to do nothing, make a series of enhancements to the ENMAX Centre, or build a brand new multi-use facility and sports complex.

IMPORTANT NOTE: At this time, Lethbridge City Council has made no decisions regarding potential future arena work. No budgets have been allocated and no timeframes for possible projects have been finalized.

Currently, with an average of 84 events each year, the ENMAX Centre draws in total crowds of 201,336 and revenues of $8.1 million dollars.

Property Enhancements:

With the potential for upgrades, TIG estimates that the ENMAX could draw in an additional 32,000 guests annually and another $1.9 million annually.

Some of the suggestions for this work include exterior street-level digital signage, a new food and beverage outlet, a new rigging/grid system, and new multi-purpose flexible seating that could add another 500 spaces.

The capital cost of the property enhancements could be between $3.75 million and $6.75 million.

New Arena:

The biggest question is what a hypothetical new arena could be and how big of a difference it could make.

TIG suggested that a new multi-use facility have a 7,000+ seat capacity and have a second “anchor tenant” such as a basketball or lacrosse team. The ENMAX Centre can hold up to 5,326 fans for Hurricanes games and up to 5,900 for other types of events.

The development of such a facility might cost around $100 million to $150 million. It is unclear what the revenue potential would be.

Officials with TIG recommended planning to open a new arena in 2036.

Future Planning:

Councillor Belinda Crowson described the report as a “guiding document” and a “wish list,” and that any decisions would have to be made through a future Capital Improvement Program.

However, she believes major projects like upgrading the city’s waster and wastewater infrastructure are more important.

It is not known at this time when the city’s administrative staff will have their report completed. Crowson says that if a new arena appears to be unfeasible, it might not even be brought before council for a decision.

The full ENMAX Centre Master Plan Final Report can be read on the City of Lethbridge’s website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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