Council updated on arena repairs

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Vauxhall Advance

By Nikki Jamieson
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Following recent project developments, start dates for Vauxhall’s ice rink and curling arena use has been pushed back.

During their regular June 2 meeting, Vauxhall town council received an update on the ice arena projects.

Previously, council was informed of soil issues discovered after the ice rink was dug up, and as a result of the needed repairs, that start date for use was delayed. In the written CAO report, council was informed that the arena slab installation ha been delayed while the weeping tile system was installed and the wet soil was replaced with a pitt run base. 

However, any work for the curling rink side, according to the report, will have a different approach to be less intrusive. Assistant CAO and town office manager Mindy Dunphy said that engineering was investigating a different option to plow lines into the curling side, which would be a less disruptive fix to resolve issues with the water.

Currently, the estimated start dates for the ice arena is Oct. 30, and the curling arena is Nov. 6.

When asked if user groups like the curling club and minor hockey club, the Picture Butte Blades, were informed of the delays, assistant CAO and town office manager Mindy Dunphy said they were informing them after council learned of those dates. Coun. Shelley Deleeuw noted that some other local hockey groups, like the Taber Golden Suns, would have earlier start dates, so “that could be a loss of business”, with Mayor Kimberly Cawley noting they would have to plan accordingly.