INDUS EXPANSION INITIATIVE PAUSED
Dear BVAS Community Members,
We want to share an important update regarding the proposed expansion of the Indus Recreation Centre – Bill Herron Arena. Rocky View County has made the decision to pause three recreation facility projects across the County, including the proposed second sheet of ice and expansion at Indus. We want to be very clear that Rocky View County has told us the Indus project has not been cancelled. The County is undertaking a new County-wide recreation strategy that will be used to determine future recreation priorities and investments, including whether and when the Indus project will move forward. At this time, we have been advised that this process is expected to take at least 18 months, and we have not received further details regarding the strategy or what the eventual outcome may mean for Indus.
To say that the BVAS Board and our Expansion Committee are disappointed by this decision is an understatement. Our Expansion Committee has invested thousands of volunteer hours into this project. Our community, user groups, local organizations, businesses and funding partners have rallied behind the expansion and helped us reach a point where we truly believed construction of a second sheet of ice was becoming a reality. BVAS had completed the fundraising expected of our organization, secured significant outside funding and, at our request, Rocky View County had taken over the project to move it through the next stages. We believed we had reached a turning point. Unfortunately, we now find ourselves facing an unexpected and potentially lengthy delay.The need for more ice has not gone away If anything, the demand continues to demonstrate why this project was pursued in the first place. Our existing ice is heavily utilized by our local user groups and longstanding renters. We regularly receive additional requests that we simply cannot accommodate. Recently, BVAS has had to turn away inquiries from a potential hockey academy, a new men's hockey team and other prospective users because we do not have enough available ice time or appropriate facility space. A second sheet of ice at Indus was never simply about building another rink. It was about creating additional opportunities for minor hockey, figure skating, recreational skating, adult programs and other community activities while developing a facility capable of serving our growing region for decades to come.
So, what happens now? For the moment, the expansion project is paused. BVAS will continue communicating with Rocky View County as the recreation strategy develops and will continue advocating for the needs of Indus and southeast Rocky View County. At the same time, our Board and Expansion Committee are looking carefully at our options. We have worked too hard — and our community has contributed too much — to simply stop looking for ways to improve recreation and community infrastructure at Indus. We will be speaking with our funding partners and exploring what options may be available while the County completes its review. We don't yet know what the final path will look like, and we don't want to speculate or make promises before we have those answers. Thank you to our community Most importantly, thank you. Thank you to everyone who has donated, volunteered, attended fundraisers, written letters, attended meetings, shared ideas and supported this project over the years. The support behind the Indus expansion has been incredible, and the current pause does not diminish what our community has accomplished. We know many of you will be disappointed and will have questions. We share that disappointment. As we receive reliable information from Rocky View County and our other funding partners, we will continue to keep our community informed. The Bow Valley Agricultural Society remains committed to the Indus Recreation Centre, to our user groups and members, and to ensuring our community has access to the recreation facilities it needs. This is a setback, but it is not the end of our work.
Thank you for your continued support and patience as we determine the best path forward.
Sincerely,Lyle Weigum and the Board of Directors Bow Valley Agricultural Society
The Project - Case for Support Statement
The Bow Valley Agriculture Society (BVAS) has been serving the close knit communities of Indus, Langdon and the surrounding rural area in the SE corner of Div 4 of the Rocky View County for over 40 years. The goal of this expansion is to create a gathering place to meet the growing needs of the county and community as well as benefit neighboring communities like Chestermere and Calgary.
Dedicated to promoting the well-being of families and individuals through sports, recreation and community programs, the mission of the BVAS is to encourage community spirit for individuals/families living in our rural community through integrity and professionalism, and to develop and maintain facilities, enable volunteers, support programs and related services based on community needs.
Stakeholders are all proud of this facility and the many years of community experience it has provided. The demand has rapidly increased in the past ten years with growth in Langdon, the rural area and other communities surrounding Indus. This expansion will provide a place for all generations to come together to build happy and healthy lives through sports recreation and community programming. Youth programs are literally bursting at the seams. The Indus Minor Hockey Assoc. (IMHA), our biggest user, are required to share ice times for practices, often forcing teams to practice on half ice only. Both the IMHA and the Indus Ringette club are often required to rent ice surfaces in other communities 30-45 minutes away. Growth in adult sports and recreation and senior activities has come to a complete halt, as we are unable to support any new programs.
After over ten years of planning, with community input and support we are launching a fundraising campaign to raise approximately seven million dollars to develop an additional NHL size ice surface by 2021, and upgrade the existing facility and grounds. As a result there will be an opportunity for year round ice availability, spaces for meetings, events, coaches and referee rooms.
Not only will the expansion increase the recreational opportunities in the winter, it will also create new opportunities and enhance existing summer programs like agricultural shows, clinics and seminars, 4-H community events, and many additional dry pad programs such as lacrosse, roller derby, pickle ball and baseball as well as adult and senior programming. The vision is that the current site will be transformed to a hub of activity for all ages and groups.
Envision the Future
Over the next two-three years, BVAS will undertake the task of making it happen. The success of this exciting venture can only happen with your support. We are well on our way with received and pledged funds through support from the county, the Bill Herron Foundation, fundraisers and corporate, individual and in-kind donations. With expected provincial and federal support, your participation, whether cash, volunteering or in-kind will help this special community to engage in the creation of a place where lasting memories are made, places where futures begin.
Fulfilling the needs of a growing community takes time, dedication, perseverance, enthusiasm and above all, community support. Working together, we can see this happen.
You are invited to participate wholeheartedly!
Email: growingtogether@indusrec.ca
A Strong History
Operated by the Bow Valley Agricultural Society, the Indus Recreation Centre was first constructed in 1972 with values grounded in financial sustainability, commitment to the community and integrity. In 1993, the Centre underwent further construction of a new external structure and increased hall capacity.
In the winter months, Indus Recreation Center is home to Indus Minor Hockey, Indus Ringette & Indus Figure Skating Club. Summer months provide dry pad rentals to Rocky View Inline, Gymkhana events at the riding arena and a recreational softball league.
The current facility is home to one ice rink, a meeting space, hall space for events, small office space, kitchen, riding arena and baseball diamond for those warm summer games.
DONATE
Bow Valley Agricultural Society is not-for-profit charity that operates Indus Recreation Centre. Due to generous support we continue to provide excellent value and continue to keep our fees at a minimum since 1974.
We have ten minor hockey teams, two girls ringette teams and a growing recreational and competitive figure skating group. We have nine local mens teams and two ladies ringette teams that require ice in our facility. Our minor sport programs have a combined registration of approximately 240 children and grows each year. The Bow Valley Agricultural Society also provides space for the Indus Preschool. Meeting area is available for Days for Girls, GRIT, Bow Valley 4-H Beef and Multi Club, Bow Valley 4-H Horse Club, and the Dalemead Quilters. The Bow Valley Agricultural Society has a close working relationship with the Bow Valley Community Club, operator’s of the Indus Curling Club attached to the recreation centre, and the Indus Livewires, a seniors group that has a meeting room also attached to the Indus Recreation Centre.
We need your help !
Donate By Mail:
Indus Recreation Center
225155A Range Road 281A
Indus, Alberta T1X 0H7
Or call:
Call: (403) 936-5474