The City of Castlegar says the demolition of Pioneer Arena is expected to take place in June.
In May 2024, the city announced that the 67-year-old area would be open for one more season, but would be demolished in spring of 2025 to make way for a new housing and medical office development.
The closing date is now set for March 2.
"The Pioneer Arena has played an important role in the community for decades, and the city recognizes the strong connection many have to this space," said the city in a statement. While this chapter is coming to a close, the city remains committed to preserving the arena’s history."
The city says the demolition will be co-ordinated with site preparation activities to ensure a smooth transition into construction.
Before this happens, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) will decommission the facility, including removing the refrigeration plant and other essential equipment. This work is expected to take four weeks.
Prior to demolition, the project developer, Lu’ma Native Housing Society, will begin site preparation, including essential activities such as securing necessary permits, conducting geotechnical assessments, and finalizing the design. This is expected to take one-to-two months.
Construction of the new housing development is expected to begin in August and take approximately 18 months. The new facility will include about 78 housing units.
With the closure of the arena pending, questions have arisen as to what will happen to the Casalano Club (an A.A.-based support program) that utilizes space in the arena.
The Casalano Club’s lease agreement at the arena is with the RDCK (the arena's operator), not the City of Castlegar.
The city has confirmed however, that the RDCK gave formal notice to the Casalano Club on Feb. 12. The RDCK has extended the time the club will have to remove its contents from the Pioneer Arena until April 11.
A city spokesperson told the Castlegar News, "The city cannot confirm what the Casalano Club’s plans are; however, since the initial announcement about the plans for this property were made, the mayor and city staff have been working with the Casalano Club to share ideas on alternative locations where the club may be able to re-locate."
Castlegar News has reached out to the club, but they have yet to respond.
The city had been planning a final farewell celebration event at the arena, but due to negative community response, including threats to protest the event, the city has now pivoted to a different plan.
"We’re looking forward to celebrating the Pioneer Arena’s legacy in other ways," says the city.
This includes a historical presentation by Greg Nesteroff at the March 3 City Council meeting. That meeting can be attended in person or vai Zoom. The presentation will also be available online after the meeting.
This history is also being designed so it can be displayed on the city’s website and in a two-page spread in the March 6 edition of the Castlegar News.
Once the housing project is complete, the historical piece will be included in interpretive signage at the site.
"The city would like to acknowledge the many contributions of volunteers and community members to the Pioneer Arena's success over the years," said the city in a statement. "We also extend our appreciation to the RDCK and its staff for their dedication to operating the arena and supporting ice user groups."
RDCK recreation planning next steps
The RDCK has been engaging with Castlegar and Areas I and J through a multi-phase process to decide on the future of recreation services in the region.
The initiative has been gathering resident feedback on current services, desired enhancements, and looking to develop a long-term vision that reflects community prioritie. The closure of the Pioneer Arena and a potential need for a second sheet of ice have been considered throughout the process.
The Reimagining Recreation Final Report will be released in early March 2025. The report will include recommendations based on the information gathered throughout the engagement process as well as next steps.
All related information, including the final report and each phase’s “What We Heard” reports, can be found at engage.rdck.ca.
