Back to SearchThe City of Burlington’s contractors are set to begin the demolition of Skyway Arena in early October. Once the demolition is complete, construction will begin on a new Skyway Community Centre, which will have many new and upgraded features for community use, as well as key items to reduce the carbon footprint to align with both the Climate Emergency Declaration and the Corporate Energy and Emissions Management Plan. Skyway Park will also be undergoing a renovation.
The new building is expected to open in the second quarter of 2024. During this time, to ensure public safety, the park and building will be closed for public use.
Skyway Community Centre features
- New +/-47,000 sq. ft building
- NHL-sized ice pad (85’x200’)
- Spectator seating with accessibility options
- Lobby with furnishings, self service area, customer service area and offices
- Warm and cold viewing areas with accessibility options
- Universal washroom
- Six change rooms with showers and washrooms (one designated accessible)
- Referee room(s)
- Multi-use program space with kitchenette and exterior doors
- Sound system for arena, seating, lobby, program room(s), washrooms etc.
- Three lane indoor walking-track
Environmental features
The design of this facility will reduce annual emissions approximately 85 per cent (as compared to a facility without these features) as there will be no use of gas at this facility.
- The mechanical system for this facility will include geothermal as well as the use of recovered heat from the refrigeration plant to heat portions of the facility.
- A zero emissions electric ice-resurfacer will be used at this facility instead of the typical compressed natural gas resurfacers.
- Roof structure to support future solar panels.
Park Improvements
Because the new building is larger than the existing Skyway Arena, more space is needed. As a result, Skyway Park will be renovated with the following features:
- New baseball diamond with backstop, line fence, irrigation, drainage, accessible dugouts, player’s benches and bleachers with an accessible area
- Natural (not plastic) children’s play area with climbing apparatus, ground components and swings
- Shade structure
- Site furnishings including benches, bike racks and waste bins
- Accessible pathways and passive open space
- Access to parking
- Exterior access park washrooms to be included in the arena building
- Park and playground will be closed for safety during the entire project
Information and updates on the project will be posted to burlington.ca/skyway and on the City’s social media.
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Quick Facts
- This project originally began in 2019 but was paused due to COVID-19 and challenges with federal grants and budget
- Community engagement happened in 2015 and 2019. The engagements helped design the building and the park features
- The rink has been decommissioned since 2019
- The City’s Forestry staff have been using the office space and rooms at Skyway Arena since 2020 and have returned to the Roads, Parks and Forestry Operations Centre on Harvester Road
Quotes
Allan Magi, Executive Director, Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services
“The new Skyway Community Centre will be a state of art community facility and designed to be consistent with achieving our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The park and building will be a key feature and highlight for the City, residents and visitors.”
Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture
“The new building will have community rooms and features the existing building did not have, and the ice surface and dressing rooms will be much improved; all of which are things we’ve heard from facility users. We’re looking forward to adding this facility to our programming and rental options.”
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