After an eight-week construction closure, the G.H. Dawe Community Centre will reopen to the public on Sunday.
Visitors won’t yet see a fully renovated facility as work on the Dawe won’t be completely done until 2023,
But as of 10 a.m. Sunday, most amenities will be available, including the pool and gymnasium. (Drop-in schedules are available online.)
Some changes that were completed during this closure include: a fully accessible change room, a pool deck party room, updated steam room and sauna, and an added washroom for the pre-school area.
“We’re putting the finishing touches on these amenities and they will soon be available for use,” states a release on the City of Red Deer’s website. “We also added new acoustical paneling and an improved air handling system in the pool area.”
A significant amount of unseen work has also wrapped up on utilities and services for future ice arenas and fitness spaces.
Construction around the facility will continue until full project completion in early 2023.
The City of Red Deer anticipates minimal impact to users. However, the Fitness Room will be unavailable, so some larger pieces of existing fitness equipment will be temporarily moved to the hallway area until the grand opening. (Use of this equipment will still require a daily admission or monthly pass.)
Playing surfaces in the arena will not be available until 2023.
When the facility is fully renovated, Red Deerians will see two NHL standard ice surfaces, an expanded fitness area, with running track and two fitness studios, and outdoor spray park with washroom facilities, an additional north entrance with site access from 67 Street, and additional parking.
For more information about the project, please visit reddeer.ca/DaweProject.
lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com
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