By Curtis Galbraith

August 9's Meeting

Council highlights: New sponsor for downtown arena name, Legion Field idea approved, new Hidden valley ASP approved

Aug 9, 2021 | 8:31 PM

Grande Prairie’s downtown arena will soon have a new name.

The former Revolution Place (originally known Canada Games Arena) will be called the Bonnetts Energy Centre after council approved a sponsorship deal with Bonnets Energy Corporation at Monday’s meeting.

Mayor Jackie Clayton says the new name will officially be in place some time in September.

“It’s great timing in our community as we open our doors and allow people back into our facilities. It’s going to have a fresh, new start and a fresh new name. Council is really excited about this opportunity.”

Clayton says the revenue from this deal will support this and other city facilities. She adds there is no cost to the city for things like signage, the cost of which is part of the sponsorship package.

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The former Canada Games Arena had gone by the name Revolution Place since 2014.

Monetary terms were not given by city hall, other than to say it is an increase from the previous agreement. The new naming rights deal is in place for 10 years.

Councillor Kevin O’Toole also announced that Elite Championship Boxing would be bringing a card to the Bonnetts Energy Centre on September 11. Six fights are included, four of them title bouts.

The card is sanctioned by the World Boxing Federation and will be shown on pay-per-view around the world.

Legion Field approved by council

City council has approved taking over ownership of the lights, bleachers, scoreboard, and media town at Legion Field.

The request to gift ownership to the city came from the Grande Prairie Football Association.

Mayor Clayton says council felt this was an easy decision for the city to support the association.

“It’s the only certified track and field facility in the northwest area, so it helps us to be able to have full use of the site, which, in turn, creates a better amenity. It enhances our ability to be able to attract large-scale tournaments and events.”

Clayton says the city already owns the land and this will be an easy transition.

New Hidden Valley ASP approved

A new Area Structure Plan for future development of the Hidden Valley area was approved by city council.

This covers land that lies along Bear Creek, west of 108 Street and south of 132 Avenue, plus some land north of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital on the west side of the creek.

This new plan replaces one that was first approved in 2000. It includes reduced school sites, which city administration says meets current standards.

Council also approved a separate bylaw change that would allow developments like this one to not have road on at least 35 per cent of the top of the creek bank.

The development would be a mixture of residential and commercial, with Muskoseepi Park also being extended north.

The population projection is close to 11,000 people with close to 3,000 of them students in Kindergarten through Grade 12.

The next step in development would be a more detailed outline plan which would also have to go before council before anything is built.

Administration pointed out that the city may be responsible for building a new bridge over Bear Creek in the future, something that would also be addressed at the outline plan stage.