Several town councillors questioned whether the town should fund a feasibility study on transforming the Cochrane Arena into a twin facility before the new master plan is completed and in advance of the fall municipal election.
On Sept. 2, council received a report recommending a $150,000 to $200,000 study to examine ice demand, site suitability, design options and costing for a second ice sheet.
Michelle Ambrose, the town’s director of parks and active living, told council the recent master plan flagged ice demand as a top priority. Hockey, ringette, figure skating and adult leagues all face significant wait lists, and families are increasingly travelling outside Cochrane for ice time.
Town administration determined the town-owned land beside the Cochrane Arena could accommodate another sheet of ice, but technical studies are needed to confirm the site can handle servicing, access and parking requirements.
The study would also examine year-round amenities and multi-purpose space to maximize community use.
Cost estimates for new facilities elsewhere in Alberta this year put a single-sheet arena between $20 million and $40 million, and a twin between $50 million and $75 million, depending on size and features.
Coun. Tara McFadden, whose son plays hockey, said it's inappropriate to move ahead before the master plan is completed. A draft isn’t expected until November, and she warned that a decision now would be seen as queue jumping over other user groups. She has been advocating for a deliberate plan for recreational development in town.
“I don’t know how I’m going to defend this in public if we don’t know the results of that study,” she said. “Council hasn’t even reviewed the plan, and residents of Cochrane Heights—already concerned about the (upgraded) football field—will want to weigh in on this.”
Deputy Mayor Marni Fedeyko said a $200,000 feasibility study is “nothing to sneeze at” and questioned if the town is in a position to build, given a long list of projects already in the 10-year capital plan.
“I think the best thing is to bring back the request during the budget process to see if it fits into the long-term vision of new council members,” she said. “Our capital plan is extraordinarily high as it is, let alone adding new projects.”
Coun. Alex Reed also questioned the location.
“My concern is if we’re looking at two ice surfaces, is this really the best location?” he said. “Maybe it should be a multi-use building somewhere else, so spending $150,000 to $200,000 here—I’d really need to think about that.”
The presentation followed a notice of motion from Mayor Jeff Genung in May to explore twinning the existing arena.
He said the town has few options for new ice, and the need was underscored in May when Cochrane Minor Hockey overflowed a council meeting to stress the shortage. The group called for a new rink by fall 2026 and believes a second multisport facility with three ice sheets will be needed within three to seven years.
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Genung said he has met with the group several times and acknowledged its work with Eagle Builders on a proposed two-rink facility with seating for up to 1,400, eight change rooms, a gym, multipurpose room, concessions, and an ice plant.
While alarmed at the potential cost of a twin arena, Genung expressed interest in the minor hockey proposal.
“For me, this was always a stopgap to help relieve some of the pressure,” he said. “I’m guessing the study will show us we need more ice, and this was a way to get there.”
He said he’s leaning toward putting the study into the town budget for the next council to decide, but warned against delay.
“Seeing a two-year timeline to get something built—if we don’t start now, those needs are even greater in two years.”
Eagle Builders and CMHA are promoting a prefabricated delivery model with a 12-month shell completion, currently estimated at $20 million to $30 million. The proposed facility that would include two NHL-sized ice surfaces, seating for up to 1,400 spectators, eight primary change rooms, a dryland training gym, a multipurpose room, concessions, players' lounge, and ice plant facilities.
Ambrose said that with servicing, permitting and commissioning, the project would realistically take up to two years. She also noted the town would be required to tender the project publicly.