Clare Drake Arena closes for $10.9M renovation; Golden Bears and Pandas relocate to Nisku
University of Alberta hockey programs move to Silent Ice Center for 2026-27 season while aging North Campus arena undergoes major infrastructure overhaul.
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The University of Alberta's Golden Bears and Pandas hockey programs are relocating to Nisku for the 2026-27 season while their home arena undergoes major repairs.
Clare Drake Arena on North Campus will close for a $10.9 million renovation to address failed sanitary lines beneath the floor, an aging arena slab, and maintenance work at the ice plant. The project is expected to finish in March 2027. The university is funding $5.9 million of the work, with up to $5 million coming from Alberta government Capital Maintenance and Renewal funding.
Both programs will play at Silent Ice Center in Nisku, which features two NHL-sized ice surfaces and a main rink capacity of 1,800 spectators. The facility also offers loge seating, skyboxes, four private suites, and the Summit Restaurant. It previously hosted two Grand Slam of Curling Tour stops and is home to HC Edmonton of the Junior Prospects Hockey League.
Clare Drake Arena has housed the Golden Bears since November 1960 and the Pandas since 1997. The arena was renamed in 1990 to honour Clare Drake, the longtime Golden Bears coach who won six University Cup championships and 17 Canada West conference titles over his 28-year tenure. The building was originally known as Varsity Arena.
Leah Pezer, director of athletics at the University of Alberta, said the relocation presents an opportunity to use a world-class facility. "This state-of-the-art venue not only provides our student-athletes with an outstanding environment to train and compete, but it also allows us to further connect with and engage the hockey community in South Edmonton and beyond," Pezer said.
The facts
Why is Clare Drake Arena closing?
Clare Drake Arena is closing for a $10.9 million renovation to address failed sanitary lines beneath the floor, an aging arena slab, and maintenance work at the ice plant.
Where will the Golden Bears and Pandas play during the renovation?
Both programs will play at Silent Ice Center in Nisku, which features two NHL-sized ice surfaces and a main rink capacity of 1,800 spectators.
When is the Clare Drake Arena renovation expected to finish?
The renovation project is expected to finish in March 2027.
How is the University of Alberta funding the renovation?
The university is funding $5.9 million of the work, with up to $5 million coming from Alberta government Capital Maintenance and Renewal funding.
