LLOYDMINSTER — Construction of the Cenovus Energy Hub continues to make progress, with hopes of a grand opening Oct. 1.
Since March, the new facility has seen the community rink slab poured, the ice plant delivered and the installation of elevators, lighting and seating. Lease agreements have also been put into place and final inspections have begun.
Lease agreements have been formally agreed on between the City of Lloydminster and the Lloydminster Junior “A” Bobcats, the Lloydminster Junior “B” Bandits, the Lakeland College Rustlers and the Lloydminster Minor Hockey Association. These agreements include leasing of dressing rooms, office space and rights to advertising. There is also an agreement with the Bobcats to operate the food and beverage at the Cenovus Energy Hub.
“The agreement provides the Bobcats with a five-year agreement, which will start when the building is open, providing the City with seven per cent of the gross revenue for all food and beverage sales. The Bobcats will be open for all games and events, and operate both the concession and grab-and-go locations. The Bobcats have successfully operated the concession at the Centennial Civic Centre for many years and the City looks forward to continuing working with them in the future,” said Joel Turcotte from a statement during the City’s July 14 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting.
The City of Lloydminster has already started to fill the calendar with several events for the first year of operations at the Cenovus Energy Hub, including the Lloydminster Athletics Showcase, the Lloydminster Skating Club Ice Show and Year-end Carnival, a community concert, a powwow, and the Hockey Alberta Junior “B” Hockey Provincials. These events are on top of an already busy day-to-day schedule, which will start on day one.
The Friends of Cenovus Energy Hub Committee continues fundraising efforts, securing three more sponsorships of dressing rooms, a water filling station and a media wall. The outdoor arena naming rights, five parking lots signs, five water filling stations, eight dressing room naming and three egress doors are still looking for sponsorships.
The committee has received some major donations from Rusway Construction and Saskatchewan Summer Games. A radiothon was held April 9, hosted by New Country 95.9, raising $25,000 and the sponsorship of a dressing room. The committee is also working on a farewell to the Centennial Civic Centre. The “One More Time Farewell Cabaret & Concert”, featuring music from Brayden King and the Hillside Outlaws, will celebrate the facility one last time before being decommissioned. Tickets are being sold for the cabaret experience or for the concert only and are available at the Servus Sports Centre reception desk. There is also a limited-edition apparel and merchandise line that has launched, honouring the 50-year legacy of the Centennial Civic Centre. Merchandise is available for purchase online, at the Lloydminster Museum & Archives, Cenovus Energy Hub booths and Factory Sports.
The new facility, located on the east side of the city, will feature:
- a primary arena with seating for 2,500, expandable up to 4,500 with floor seats
- a second full-size indoor ice surface with permanent seating capacity of 500
- a third outdoor ice surface, directly adjacent to the building.
Dubbed the "Entertainment District", the city is also planning to include walking trails, six slo-pitch diamonds, an outdoor park pavilion, powered camp stalls, commercial retail units and a hotel in the area.
The Centennial Civic Centre will be decommissioned upon the last of the booked events, with demolition slated at a later date.
