Spring ice rentals, arena revenue and community space bookings increased across Carleton Place recreation facilities
Carleton Place’s recreation facilities are busier than ever, with ice rentals, community programs, ball diamonds and public spaces drawing growing numbers of users and generating more revenue.
Manager of Recreation and Culture Joanne Henderson presented the department’s 2025-26 report card to committee of the whole on June 23, describing facilities around the arena complex as “a pretty happening spot.”
The arena now operates approximately 19 hours a day, seven days a week, from September through March, and weekend spring ice rentals have taken off. Spring ice rentals climbed 38 per cent from 2024 to 2025, while arena revenue increased by more than $76,000 over the same period.
“Last year, we had very few weekend rentals. This year, so far, we’ve had rentals every day of the weekend,” Henderson said.
Demand is also rising at the Carambeck Community Centre, where rentals jumped 11 per cent in 2025. Between January and May, 92 per cent of available weekend days were booked.
The town’s ball diamonds are seeing similar demand. Minor diamonds are used seven days a week during May and June, while the McLaren Diamond is regularly booked up to six days a week.
Henderson recalled one recent evening when all four diamonds were hosting games, one ice surface had hockey, the second arena hosted ball hockey, both halls were rented, the boardroom was occupied, and every tennis and pickleball court was in use.
“So it is a pretty happening spot and it continues to increase. So I think that’s good news,” she said.
Membership at the Station Active Living Centre nearly doubled, rising from 161 in 2024 to 315 by the end of May 2026. Tennis and pickleball memberships jumped 45 per cent between 2024 and 2025, while the number of events supported by recreation staff rose from 28 to 39.
Aquatics presented a mixed picture. Swim and aquafit passes increased nearly 25 per cent, from 648 in 2024 to 803 in 2025, and four schools have returned to pool programming since the pandemic.
However, a shortage of lifeguards and instructors forced the town to offer fewer swimming lessons, resulting in 362 fewer registrations last year.
Mayor Toby Randell suggested the town explore subsidizing lifeguard certification to encourage more young people to enter the field.
“I hate to see us lose programming because we just can’t get people to become lifeguards,” he said.
Randell said recreation infrastructure will become increasingly important as Carleton Place grows.
“The recreation end of our world is what makes a community a community. And it’s truly, truly important,” he said.
Committee recommended council receive the report and directed Henderson to return at year-end with updated figures and recreation growth priorities for 2027.
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