Dodsland rink on track for fall 2027 opening with $11.6M raised

By David McIver

Dodsland's new rink should open in October or November 2027, with $11.6 million of the $12.5 million budget now in place, village administrator Amy Sittler said last week.

Construction is expected to start in August and take 12 to 14 months, Sittler said following an engagement session held in Dodsland last Tuesday.

Some of the principal people involved in the new skating rink planned for Dodsland hold artists’ renderings of what it will look like: Dodsland mayor Ryan Neumeier, village administrator Amy Sittler; the project manager for general contractor Hipperson Construction of Saskatoon and Regina, Logan Turk; and Sarah Lipsit and Dallas Huard, architects for aodbt architechure interior design of Saskatoon. Photo by David McIver

The vast majority of funding has come from private donations. The Rural Municipality of Winslow has pledged $2 million. The village has not yet made a commitment, choosing to wait and see how much more arrives in donations first, she said.

Saskatoon firm aodbt architecture interior design has designed the new two-storey building. Architects Sarah Lipsit and Dallas Huard attended the session to present the plans. Hipperson Construction of Saskatoon and Regina will serve as general contractor.

The new rink will occupy roughly the same footprint as the old one, but will sit closer to Second Avenue, said project manager Logan Turk of Saskatoon. The primary entrance will shift to the west side of the first floor rather than the south end of the old rink.

Inside, people will enter a lobby with seating and picnic tables for concession items. The layout separates the players' corridor and dressing rooms from the viewing area, said Lipsit.

Bench seating accommodates 300 spectators, with standing room above that.

"If you want to get really cozy, then there may be a bit more," Lipsit joked.

The second floor, accessible by elevator, will include a lounge and wet bar suitable for banquets, graduations or weddings. Glass walls allow viewing of the ice from above, with connections to standing room and balcony areas, she said.

The new rink will also incorporate the sign from the old rink.

Design work began in January with input from Mayor Ryan Neimeier, village councillors and Sittler, who had a clear sense of what the community wanted. Feedback from Tuesday's session confirmed the direction.

"Yes, I can picture myself in this space. I can't wait to be here," attendees told Lipsit.

Aodbt has designed other regional recreational facilities, including Merlis Belcher Place in Saskatoon, the Martensville recreation centre and the Legends Centre in Warman. The firm has previously worked with Hipperson Construction.

For Turk, the project has a personal connection. Though he grew up in Saskatoon, his grandparents farmed north of Dodsland and he still has relatives in the area.

Hipperson Construction recently completed the BHP mine office in Saskatoon. The potash mine is scheduled to open near Jansen in 2027.