Community engagement begins for new rec centre discussions

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Taber has announced a community engagement project to elicit feedback on the potential development of a new indoor recreation facility. Community members from the town and surrounding region will be asked for input so that the administration and council can better understand the current and future need for a new rec facility.

 “This study will build upon previously completed work, including a Multi-Plex Feasibility Study (2015), Town of Taber’s Recreation Master Plan (2020), Municipal District of Taber’s Recreation Master Plan (2019), and other plans as applicable,” the Town’s website stated.

 Scheduled events will occur as follows: Seniors Coffee and Cake at Parkside Manor- Wed. March 25 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.; Youth Pizza Party at the library Wed. March 25 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.; Community Input Workshop Wed. March 25 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.; Community Pop-Up Booth at Play On! Street hockey tournament – Fri. March 27 5 – 7 p.m.

 An online survey for residents available until March 30 can be accessed through a link on the Town’s website.

 Before the explosion at the Community Centre arena, the new rec centre project was gaining traction as a ‘sooner rather than later’ development. The Taber Titans charity made a scheduled appearance as a delegation at an Aug. 18, 2025 town council meeting and announced that they would be donating $50,000 to the Town for the project.

 The agenda for that meeting said a dryland recreation facility was “council’s top priority on our current strategic dashboard and strategic plan. Administration is requesting council to endorse the full amount for a recreation facility feasibility study.”

 Earlier, in Jan. 2025, the administration asked council to approve a 50 per cent contribution that would match another other 50 per cent available through a green municipal fund grant program. The money would go towards the feasibility study if the Town was a successful applicant in the grant program.

 The estimated cost of the recreation facility feasibility study was $130,000 at that time, and council had already committed to $65,000, or 50 per cent of it. By Aug. 18 council had approved another $65,000 to fund the study independently. The vote in favour won 5-2. The financial commitment would not exclude the Town from applying for further grant funding.

 A week after that meeting, the mayor clarified the split of the Town’s commitment and the Titans’ donation. The Town is in for $130,000 on a feasibility study, while the Titans $50,000 donation will be designated for the actual building project.

 Leading up to the municipal election in Oct. 2025, the Times asked prospective councillors about their stance on the project, and many – but not all – were supportive of it.

 On March 9, the Times asked the Town for more information about the financial impacts of the arena explosion and how those will affect decision making on new projects. Additionally, during a January 2026 council meeting, CAO Derrin Thibault mentioned that MLA Grant Hunter could liaison with Premier Danielle Smith to address Taber’s needs in restoring the ice arena. The response on that, as well as on other funding opportunities and Town finances can be expected in the next update.

 In Coaldale, the Shift Centre opened in 2024 and had a construction cost of approximately $18 million. Taber’s early estimate for its own rec centre was $15 million.

 A feasibility study would serve a number of purposes: community engagement, evaluating new versus existing facilities, looking at potential locations and conditions, developing designs and 3D renderings, reviewing budgets and pricing, analyzing energy efficiency, conducting a climate change risk assessment and mitigation strategies, and conducting an equity assessment to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all residents.

 The online survey is open and includes questions about preferred activities, recreational satisfaction and accepting user fees and additional taxes to support a new rec centre. Visit http://www.taber.ca/your-government/recreation-facility-feasibility-study.