Fort McMurray is getting two new ice surfaces this fall. It took a decade to get here.
The Northside Twin Arena at 117 Abraham Place in the Dickensfield neighbourhood broke ground September 20, 2024. The contract was awarded to Marshall-Lee Construction Corporation with an estimated project budget of $50 million. The facility is scheduled to open Fall 2026.
The first groundbreaking for a north-end twin arena in Fort McMurray happened ten years and eight days before the 2024 ceremony. That original project never got built.
What the building actually includes
The Northside Twin Arena covers 6,420 square metres of arena space, with a total footprint including parking of 8,000 square metres. Inside: two ice surfaces, 300 spectator seats per ice sheet, ten change rooms, two referee rooms, concession space, and 250 parking spots.
Both ice surfaces are designed for year-round multi-use programming. When ice is not in place, the pads convert to dryland sport use for lacrosse, soccer, and ball hockey. The facility becomes the fourth arena complex in Fort McMurray's urban service area, alongside MacDonald Island Park, Frank LaCroix Arena, and Centrefire Place.
The operator of the facility has not yet been announced. RMWB says it will be confirmed closer to completion.
Why it took ten years
Fort McMurray's push for a north-end arena dates to around 2014, when the oil sands economy was running at full capacity and the municipality had capital to commit. When oil prices collapsed in 2015, the project was shelved. Then in May 2016 the Horse River wildfire forced the evacuation of the entire city and consumed community attention and resources for years.
The project sat dormant through the recovery period. It was eventually re-established after Councillor Ball brought a motion to council to revive it. Council supported the motion and a second groundbreaking was held September 20, 2024, ten years and eight days after the first.
"The addition of two new ice surfaces in Fort McMurray is something that's been championed and discussed in the community for many years, and we're excited to make it a reality," said Mayor Sandy Bowman at the ceremony.
Why the north end specifically
Fort McMurray's existing arena infrastructure sits primarily in the south end and downtown core. MacDonald Island Park is centrally located. Frank LaCroix Arena is in Timberlea. Centrefire Place is downtown. None of them are convenient for families in north-end neighbourhoods like Dickensfield and Thickwood who are loading up gear and driving kids to early morning ice time.
The minor hockey community pushed for this for years. Ice time availability has been a persistent constraint as the sport grew faster than existing facilities could handle.
"These two new ice surfaces will mean that we will be able to grow our program and get all kids on the ice," said Steve Schreyer, President of the Fort McMurray Minor Hockey Association at the groundbreaking. "Here's to the exciting future of hockey in Fort McMurray."
What $50 million buys in context
Twin arena facilities across Alberta have ranged widely in cost depending on size, location, and amenity level. A twin ice pad in a northern Alberta municipality with the logistical complexity of Fort McMurray's supply chain and labour market is a significant capital commitment.
For comparison: Drayton Valley's single-pad aquatic centre came in at $22.4 million. Lac La Biche's full aquatic complex with a lazy river and Nordic spa is budgeted at $44.9 million. The Northside Twin Arena at $50 million for two ice surfaces and associated community space sits within the range of what comparable facilities cost across the province.
The full funding breakdown has not been publicly released. The $50 million figure is described as an estimated project budget in RMWB's own release. Final costs will be confirmed on completion.
Part of a bigger picture for Fort McMurray sport
The Northside Twin Arena does not exist in isolation. Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo was announced earlier in 2026 as the host of the 2028 Alberta Summer Games the province's largest multi-sport event, expected to draw approximately 2,600 athletes, coaches, and support staff from across Alberta.
Hosting the Summer Games requires exactly the kind of infrastructure the Northside Twin Arena adds. The region already has Shell Place, MacDonald Island Park, SMS Equipment Stadium, the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre, and Vista Ridge. A fourth arena complex opening in Fall 2026 gives organizers two full years to integrate it into 2028 planning.
Fort McMurray has now hosted the 2018 Alberta Winter Games, the 2023 Arctic Winter Games, and will host the 2028 Alberta Summer Games. The Northside Twin Arena is the piece of infrastructure that completes the picture.
We covered the full 2028 Alberta Summer Games announcement — read it at
culturealberta.com/articles/fort-mcmurray-wood-buffalo-is-hosting-the-2028-alberta-summer-games-after-years-of-sports-investment
For construction updates and project details, visit rmwb.ca or call RMWB Pulse at 780-743-7000.
Sources:
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Council breaks ground for new twin arena in Fort McMurray, September 20, 2024 (rmwb.ca)
Alberta Major Projects Registry, Northside Twin Arena at Abraham's Land (majorprojects.alberta.ca)
89.3 The Raven, Groundbreaking Ceremony held for new twin arena in Fort McMurray, September 20, 2024 (ravenradio.ca)
Marshall-Lee Construction Corporation, Northside Twin Arena project page (marshall-lee.ca)
