Cold Lake, AB – The City of Cold Lake is updating its policy governing the booking of fields and arenas to prioritize events that bring significant economic activity to the community.

At the Corporate Priorities Committee meeting held on March 18, Cold Lake’s elected officials considered a number of draft changes to the policy. Some of the proposals simply refined operational aspects of facility booking, such as allowing for a seven-day cancellation policy for hourly bookings while maintaining the existing 30-day cancellation policy for bookings of amenities for 30 days or more.

The draft changes also introduced a definition for a “Sport Tournament,” and proposed that events fitting the description be placed in the second priority for bookings.

“We’ve built out the Energy Centre over the years so that our community can host sporting events that can rival those any other community in Alberta is capable of,” Mayor Craig Copeland said. “Since Council’s vision has taken shape, we’ve seen a strong uptick of use in the facility, and we know that sport organizations want to be here. Cold Lake has the facilities needed for a larger sporting event to run smoothly, while our community also keeps visitors busy between games and during the down time you have at a tournament. The word is out about Cold Lake as a location for tournaments and we’re only going to get busier.”

Staff noted that there can be competition and some friction between sporting associations vying for ice time and field use, but also informed Council that every effort is made to ensure that all groups have the access they need to make their games, practices, tournaments, and other events a success.

“I’m proud of the work our staff does to accommodate all requests that we receive – they do an admirable job,” Copeland said. “With the assets we have there is not much that cannot be done, provided everyone is willing to be cooperative when needed.”

Council will consider whether to accept the draft amendments to the Arena and Athletic Field Use and Allocation Policy at its next Regular Council Meeting.