(Red Deer, Alberta) – During today’s Capital Budget deliberations, City Council decided to open the new Servus Arena in January ahead of the anticipated opening of summer 2018.

Construction of the Servus Arena project is still underway, however, the project is approximately six months ahead of schedule. City administration brought forward a budget request to City Council to consider open the facility in January 2018, with a net operating impact of ,920.

“Although the project is ahead of schedule there is still work to be done before the arena can open to the public and user groups. There are small things we need to complete prior to opening and we are excited to welcome the community into the Servus Arena in the new year,” said Shelley Gagnon, Manager of Recreation, Parks and Culture.

The public is invited to see the new Servus Arena during the official opening on Saturday, January 13, 2018. The official ceremony will begin at 12 p.m. and family fun activities will be underway until 3 p,m. More details to be posted at reddeer.ca/servusarena.

“Today we are proud to announce the early opening of the Servus Arena. This premier spectator arena is at the heart and centre of our community and we are excited to welcome a new generation of hockey players, ringette players and figure skaters who will call this ice their home,” said Mayor Veer. “The Servus Arena is yet another example of how sport building is community building as demonstrated through the high profile events this facility will host, including the 2019 Canada Winter Games.”

Construction of the Servus Arena began in 2016, after the former Red Deer Arena was demolished. The new Servus Arena is a modern facility built to meet environmental and accessibility standard and features an NHL ice rink, room temperature seating for 1360 spectators, an indoor walking track, interior connections to the Pidherney Centre and flexible team space.

More information about the Servus Arena and the official opening on January 13, 2018 is available at redddeer.ca/servusarena. User groups are able to book ice space in the Servus Arena for use beginning in January by contacting [email protected].

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