ESQUIMALT, BC—The Township of Esquimalt will be replacing Archie Browning Sports Centre’s arena floor next year. The floor has been the backdrop of many community sports including hockey, speed skating, figure skating, curling competitions, lacrosse, ball hockey and roller derby for nearly four decades.
“The existing floor has served the community well for forty years but it is due for a replacement,” said parks and recreation director Steve Knoke. “Safe and well-maintained equipment is a priority for our recreation services and we look forward to the new floor next year”.
The primary goal of this project is to remove and replace the arena floor with a new concrete slab including the supporting in-floor refrigeration system. Improvements include a new brine system, dasher boards and glass, safety netting, flooring around arena boards plus new player and penalty benches. The extensive work involved in the project means that the floor will be unavailable from March until approximately September 2026.
User groups were notified this week to allow for alternate arrangements. Staff will be working closely with all affected groups to minimize disruption and explore alternative options where possible.
“We value the relationships we’ve built with these community groups, and this investment demonstrates our continued commitment to providing excellent services to our community”, said Knoke.
The new floor will have an updated, more energy-efficient design and is expected to last another forty years. The $2.5M project is funded through the township’s capital reserves.
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Contact
Tara Zajac, Manager of Communications
250-414-7122
Tara.zajac@esquimalt.ca