Saint John Multi-purpose Recreational Complex

Saint John Multi-purpose Recreational Facility

The City’s existing arena facilities are all single ice pads that are past their effective service life. PlaySJ, the City’s Recreation Strategic Plan, recommends that these facilities be replaced with a modern multi-pad arena complex.

In 2022, Council identified eight high-impact catalytic priorities to spur growth by addressing critical infrastructure and building stronger partnerships by seeking strategic investments that will help deliver the most benefit.

One of these projects is “a New, multi-purpose recreational facility … to replace aging arenas, help attract and retain residents and draw visitors by creating a modern complex for sports, recreation and the arts. A new facility would improve community wellness and service offerings and boost the attractiveness of our region.”

This facility also supports objectives in the City’s 10-Year Strategic Plan and ActSJ.

The Location

The multiplex will be located on the east side, adjacent to the Irving Oil Field House on McAllister Drive, between Westmorland Road and Rothesay Avenue. This location is ideal:

• It’s within an existing regional center, with nearby amenities (restaurants, hotels, shopping).
• It’s easily accessible by car or via public transit. The area is serviced by sidewalks.
• It presents the opportunity to collocate replacement ice surfaces with an existing recreational facility.
• It has some necessary infrastructure already in place (parking, storm water infrastructure).
• It presents the opportunity to connect or integrate building systems with the Irving Oil Field House.
• It provides community infrastructure in an area that is underserved.

The Amenities

The new facility is being designed to complement the Irving Oil Field House and will include:

• two regulation-sized ice pads
• space for a relocated East Library Branch
• additional multi-purpose space for recreational, arts and cultural programming
• space for community developer and a potential wellness clinic
• community meeting space
• integration and complementary systems and programming with the Irving Oil Field House

Energy Efficiency

The building is designed to align with ActSJ, in particular “Big Move 4”: Electrifying and Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings. ActSJ Pathway to Net-Zero, is the City of Saint John's Community Energy Action Plan and the City’s response to the climate crisis and its commitment to transition to net-zero emissions in the city by 2050.

What’s Next?

A community needs assessment will be conducted this fall.

The project team is conducting an energy feasibility study.

The project team continues to refine project designs and explore funding opportunities.

More information will be added to Shape Your City Saint John as it becomes available. Subscribe to News and Notifications | City of Saint John, New Brunswick for updates and City News.