Edson is building something it has needed for a long time. And it is doing it without shutting anything down while construction happens.
The YCE Multiplex is an $80.2 million joint project between the Town of Edson and Yellowhead County, currently under active construction on the site of the Edson and District Leisure Centre. Groundbreaking took place May 21, 2025 after site preparation began in April. Clark Builders is the contractor. GEC Architecture designed it.
When it is finished in summer 2027, the complex will be the largest recreation facility between Edmonton and Jasper a full multipurpose destination built to serve Edson, Yellowhead County, and the surrounding region for decades.
"This has been a long time coming and we're very happy to see it starting to take shape," said Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara at the groundbreaking. "This investment in our facility means more recreational opportunities for residents and will go a long way in helping to attract people to our region."
What is being built
The finished complex will include a new aquatics centre with lane swimming and leisure swimming, a new ice arena, a new gymnasium with an elevated walking track, a renovated Centennial Arena, Memorial Arena converted into a curling facility, and a new lobby connecting everything together.
Everything on that list either does not exist in its current form at the Leisure Centre or is a significant upgrade to something that has aged past its best years. The existing aquatics centre will be demolished in a later phase once the new pool is complete residents will not lose pool access at any point during construction.
The four phases and what opens when
Phase 1 is done. Site preparation, temporary access routes, and pre-work required before main construction began. That work started in April 2025.
Phase 2 is the one everyone is waiting for. The new ice arena and new aquatics centre lane swimming and leisure swimming are targeted for completion in December 2026. This is the biggest single phase and the most significant addition the complex brings.
Phase 3 follows once the new pool is open and the existing aquatics centre can come down. That demolition frees up the space needed for the new lobby and gymnasium with elevated walking track.
Phase 4 is final completion summer 2027. Renovations to Centennial Arena, conversion of Memorial Arena to a curling facility, and final site servicing.
How the money breaks down
Total project cost is $80.2 million.
The federal government contributed $20 million through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The remaining $60.2 million is split evenly between the Town of Edson and Yellowhead County approximately $30.1 million each.
That 50-50 split between a town and a county is genuinely uncommon. Most intermunicipal recreation projects involve one partner carrying a significantly larger share. Both Mayor Zahara and Yellowhead County Mayor Wade Williams have pointed to the equal partnership as one of the defining features of this project.
"We're very proud of our work together with the Town of Edson in the development of this facility," said Williams at the groundbreaking. "The facility's new amenities and upgrades will benefit our region's residents and highlights our commitment to working with our regional partners towards our community's continued growth and development."
Why they built on the existing site instead of starting fresh
Other locations in Edson were evaluated before the decision was made to build on the current Leisure Centre site. The existing location won out for a practical reason — it is already in the right place.
"At the end of the day, the location of the current Edson and District Leisure Centre is the best location," said Zahara when the decision was announced.
Building on an occupied site creates challenges that a greenfield build does not. Parking is tight during construction. Access routes to the existing facility change regularly as phases progress. Zahara specifically asked residents and visitors coming in for tournaments to be patient with parking throughout the build.
The upside of building on the existing site is that residents never lose access to what they already have. The pool stays open until the new pool is ready. The arenas stay running. Programming continues. That continuity matters in a community of Edson's size where the Leisure Centre is a daily destination for hundreds of residents.
What the complex means for the region
Edson sits on Highway 16 the Yellowhead Highway roughly 200 kilometres west of Edmonton. It is the largest community in Yellowhead County and the primary service hub for a region that spans agricultural land, forestry operations, and oil and gas activity stretching west toward Jasper and north into the Pembina River watershed.
A complex of this scale does more than serve local residents for daily recreation. It anchors provincial sports tournaments, ringette and hockey showcases, swim meets, curling bonspiels, and community events that draw visitors from across west-central Alberta. That visitor traffic generates hotel nights, restaurant meals, fuel purchases, and retail spending that flows from having a facility capable of hosting regional competition.
"This is a very exciting time for our community," Zahara said at groundbreaking. "Probably the most historic regional project that we've had in our community."
Common questions
Can I still use the Leisure Centre during construction? Yes. The existing facility stays open throughout the build. Access and parking change as phases progress — check ycemultiplex.ca before visiting.
When does the new pool open? The new aquatics centre is targeted for December 2026 as part of Phase 2.
When does the whole complex open? Full completion is expected by summer 2027.
Who is paying for it? $20 million from the federal government. The remaining $60.2 million is split evenly between the Town of Edson and Yellowhead County.
Who is building it? Clark Builders is the general contractor. GEC Architecture designed the facility.
Where can I follow construction progress? Visit ycemultiplex.ca for regular updates.
Sources:
Town of Edson, YCE Groundbreaking news release, May 21, 2025 (edson.ca)
Town of Edson, YCE Multiplex FAQs page (edson.ca/town-office/town-news/post/yce-multiplex-faqs)
Town of Edson, YCE Multiplex Design Approval news release (edson.ca)
Alberta Major Projects Registry, Yellowhead County Edson YCE Multiplex (majorprojects.alberta.ca)
Clark Builders, YCE Multiplex project page (clarkbuilders.com/yce-multiplex)
GEC Architecture, YCE Multiplex project page (gecarchitecture.com/work/yce-multiplex)
Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara, groundbreaking statements, May 21, 2025
Yellowhead County Mayor Wade Williams, groundbreaking statements, May 21, 2025
