In April 2020, Council started initiating projects to stimulate the local economy during COVID closures. This move brought the previously proposed renovations of Revolution Place from 2013 back into consideration as one of the potential projects being explored.

Public engagement on the proposed Revolution Place renovations is now closed. Thank you to all who participated by providing feedback during our various consultation opportunities.

All feedback gathered has been collected in various reports housed under the Documents section to the right, within the 'Engagement Results' folder. These findings will be taken into consideration by Council while making a decision on proceeding with this project during budget deliberations November 12 and 13.

About the Project

Proposed renovations:

• Increase to 5,000 seats
• Full in-the-round second level concourse area for access to all amenities
• Additional concessions and washrooms
• Addition of 20 premium suites and premium lounge area for more diverse seating options
• Additional 5,000 square feet of meeting and conference space
• New arena entrance and Box Office, dividing access to the arena and the Bowes Event Centre
• Increased catering kitchen capacity

Benefits:

• Enhanced user experience and customer service
• Larger concerts, conferences and sporting events
• Space flexibility to do daily multi-rentals
• Increased revenue potential
• Conservative estimate of 175 event days annually
• Significant economic impact to local businesses
• Increased life expectancy of 30+ years

Impacts:

• $55,000,000 cost estimate (without phasing)
• Debt servicing 30 years @ 2.6% with an annual payment of $2,651,663.98

About Revolution Place

Home of the Revolution Arena and Bowes Events Centre, Revolution Place is one of Grande Prairie’s largest community event hubs, hosting major sporting events, trade-shows and performances year-round.

Opened in 1995 as the Crystal Centre with the completion of the Canada Games Arena for the Canada Winter Games, the arena was an addition onto the Bowes Family Gardens. The facility has continued to grow to meet community demand ever since.

Today, the facility features a seating capacity of 2939 for sporting events and over 4500 seats for concerts on the arena side, and 18,000 square feet of versatile event space and newly renovated outdoor area on the Bowes Events Centre side with room for 700 guests banquet-style or 1400 guests for a concert set-up.