Construction for the new Martensville Recreation Centre (MRC) began in early 2023, and since then, work on the structure has been progressing and is currently on schedule to open this fall. Although there are many moving parts to this project, Roxane Melnyk, City of Martensville Director of Recreation & Community Services, stated that overall, the project is approximately 70% completed.
Currently, work is being done along Centennial Drive South, near Main Street and 1st Street South, for water and wastewater for the facility and for future development. A temporary road closure is scheduled to begin on April 17th and be in place for approximately four weeks to continue work in this area. See more on the road closure on page 2 of this issue. As updates are available, they will be shared on the City of Martensville website at www.martensville.ca, or on the City’s social media pages.
Once complete, the MRC will consist of a full-size indoor turf field with 6 dressing rooms, a full-size ice surface with seating for 900, 8 dressing rooms, a practice ice surface, a 50ft climbing wall, an indoor playground, a dedicated mini-stick area, a fully functional concession and lounge, a Proshop, 5 multi-purpose rooms, a cultural room, local user groups office and home to up to 8 retail spaces. Future plans are in place to construct additional ice surfaces within the MRC as well.
“There have not been formal discussions about the expansion yet; however, administration is hoping that the demand is so great, that the planning for the expansion will happen soon after opening,” Melnyk said.
In November of 2023, the City of Martensville began negotiations with Nustadia Recreation Inc. on an operating contract for the MRC, which was approved by City Council on February 20, 2024. City of Martensville administration has been working with Nustadia on the various priorities that will need to be completed prior to the MRC opening later this year.
“At the same time, Administration and Nustadia have been working together meeting with user groups to determine the allocation of the spaces once the facility is ready to open,” Melnyk added.
Nustadia will be responsible for hiring the staff to operate the MRC, and Jason Keating has been hired as the MRC General Manager, a position that he started on April 15th.
This $44.5 million project was made possible through contributions of $17.8 million through the Government of Canada’s Infrastructure Program, $14.8 million from the Government of Saskatchewan and $11.8 million from the City of Martensville, which includes funds raised by the Martensville Community Recreation Project (MCRP).
“Community support has been the catalyst for this project right from the start and sponsorship and donations are such an important foundation to build upon,” Melnyk stated.
Donations and sponsorships for the MRC are still being accepted, and if interested, you can contact the City of Martensville about the various opportunities for sponsorship. For donations, contact the MCRP at www.mcrp.ca/donate/ where there are multiple options available to help support this project.
Those that have supported the Martensville Recreation Centre will be acknowledged at the facility through a Donors Wall for donations of $1000 or more, and through various naming recognition assets. More information can be found by visiting www.mcrp.ca/donate/.
ABOVE: Work is being done on Centennial Drive South to service the MRC with water/wastewater. A road closure is scheduled for April 17th and expected to last 4 weeks.
