Mike Karbonik Arena Engagement

What’s next for our arena?

The Town of Calmar is considering the future of the Mike Karbonik Arena site as it nears the end of its lifecycle and is seeking community input on current and future recreation needs and priorities for the community.

Like many municipalities, Calmar is planning ahead to help support responsible long term infrastructure planning. The Town will be considering a range of options for the site, from repair to repurpose or replacement.

No decision has been made, and no direction has been set for the facility’s future. Council and Administration want to hear from community members, in addition to an understanding of the future costs and risks associated with any potential decisions surrounding the arena site.

Public feedback will be critical as the Town moves through the next steps of this process over the coming months. The Town has engaged Catalyst Communications to support the process of communications and engagement surrounding the future of the arena site.

Calmar and area residents, business owners, arena users and community groups will have an opportunity to provide feedback by completing a short survey. This is the first in a series of community engagement opportunities over the coming months for residents to provide feedback on current facility usage, recreation needs and priorities, and on future options for the arena site.

The survey runs from August 14-September 11, 2026. Visit the Calmar Community Engagement Hub or visit the Town Office to pick up a printed version. The survey is expected to take around 10 minutes to complete, and responses are anonymous.

The results of this survey will help identify how the current facility is used, recreation needs that are not being met, what residents envision for the future, and more. Catalyst Communications will compile all survey responses into a What We Heard Report, which will be presented to Council for review and discussion in late Fall 2026, and subsequently shared with the public.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Town reviewing the Mike Karbonik Arena?
The Arena is aging and Calmar needs to plan for the future. Reviewing options now allows Council to understand the future costs, risks, and needs of the community before any decisions are made.

Is the arena being closed or sold?
No. No decisions have been made. We’re just looking at our options right now.

Why not just fix the things that are broken?
Short term repairs can keep the building operational, but they may not address long term reliability or rising costs. Council needs to understand whether repairs, upgrades, or other options offer a better value over time.

Why are there non-ice options included?
Non-ice spaces can support year-round programming and may align differently with funding opportunities. Considering these options does not mean that ice has been ruled out.

How much is this all going to cost taxpayers?
The costs we’ve shared are planning level ranges only. Any future decision would require Council approval and further financial investigation and review.

How can residents provide input into this process?
From Aug. 14 to Sept. 11, 2026, we’re gathering community feedback via a survey. Click here to complete the survey online or come see us at the Town Office to pick up a print copy. We appreciate your participation and your passion for our community.

When will a decision be made?
There is no set timeline right now. Council will determine next steps after reviewing all the information gathered, including community input, in this first step. Stay tuned to this web page for updates.