Renos moving forward at Henderson Ice Arena
By Lethbridge Herald on December 5, 2025.
Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald
Phase one of the upgrades set to take place at the Henderson Ice Centre is now complete and includes four brand-new dressing rooms, each with a private bathroom and shower facilities.
Jace Adams, Facilities Project Manager said Thursday they finished on time, within budget and without disruption to operations. “Some of the highlights of phase one include, for our heating system we were able to use heat pump system for heating and cooling,” said Adams. “We also have a recovery ventilator, which when you’re using your exhaust heat saves some energy as well as LED lighting.”
Adams said other upgrades include having barrier free change rooms. Each change room has a barrier free operator to get in and out of the space, and he said this feature is also helpful for those carrying their hockey bags as they can press the button with their foot.
“Every space also has a barrier free shower and a barrier-free washroom stall. Once we get phase two completed, the facility will have quite a high level of accessibility,” said Adams.
He said there is still some more to do for accessibility, but that will be included in phase two which will start on Apr. 1, 2026.
“In phase two, we’re going to take the existing four dressing rooms and we’re going to convert them into three dressing rooms and a referee space,” said Adamas.
He added that the front lobby will also get renovated, and it will include a concession area and a new ticket office.
“As well as an expansion of all the bathrooms and upgrading them to barrier free accessible size,” said Adams.Robin Harper, general manager of Recreation and Culture said the completion of phase one in the new dressing rooms has been a big benefit for this facility.
“The previous setup here wasn’t overly inclusive or safe, dressing rooms were small. These four new spaces offer a little more inclusive and safer environment for athletes and gives them a little bit more room,” said Harper.
He said they decided to renovate the existing arena not only because the cost to build a new arena is around $30 million, but because the Henderson Ice Centre is still a popular arena.
“It’s still a great place for groups to participate in and we saw an opportunity to enhance the facility with just a renovation and that’s we undertook the project,” said Harper.
In terms of feedback regarding the new dressing rooms, as many athletes have already used them, Harper said they have received very positive feedback.
“The people and the groups that are using it are finding them nice and spacious, fresh, new, and accessible,” said Harper.
The renovations are part of the City’s Capital Improvement Program 2022–2031 (Project D-17).
Those interested in finding more project information and updates can do so on the Get Involved Lethbridge page.
17-16
I’m reading about Henderson Ice Arena and I’m so happy for Lethbridge—my boys have been skating there since they were 5, and the old locker rooms were cramped like a can of sardines, especially when a team of 15 was crammed in with sticks and uniforms. Phase one, with new rooms and accessibility, is a breakthrough, especially for my son, who has asthma; he won’t have to jostle around in the stuffy air anymore. And Phase two, with a lobby and referee area, will make the arena a true hub for the league. After a knee injury last season, I could barely ski, but a course of treatment with https://redmondpharmacy.com/ brought my joints back to normal in eight weeks, and now the boys and I are back on the ice every weekend. Without these upgrades and support, our bodies won’t survive the winter.