Saint John moves ahead with $49M multi‑use facility on east side
A new recreation facility is moving ahead on Saint John’s east side, with construction expected to begin next year beside the YMCA Field House.
The Saint John Multipurpose Recreational Facility will include two ice surfaces, a new library, community support space, and additional rooms for arts, culture and recreation.
The expansion will connect directly to the Field House and share an integrated heating and cooling system to support the city’s net‑zero emissions goals.
City staff first outlined the concept publicly in 2024, noting the need to replace aging single‑pad arenas and relocate the East Branch Library.
At the time, officials said the east side was an ideal location due to nearby amenities, transit access and existing infrastructure.
The project will include the city’s first new ice rinks in 33 years.
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Federal and municipal funding
The federal government is providing $29,825,732 through the Build Communities Strong Fund, and the City of Saint John is contributing $20 million.
The project was submitted under the fund’s Direct Delivery stream, which supports regionally significant infrastructure.
Saint John-Kennebecasis MP Wayne Long said the funding will support a project the city has identified as a top priority.
“It’s one of the biggest actual infrastructure announcements I’ve done in my 11 years here as a member of parliament. It’s significant. It’s going to be transformational for the region,” Long said.
Long explained that the funding will be delivered directly to the municipality, with only minor administrative steps remaining.
He said residents should expect early site preparation this fall and full construction to begin next year.
Community impact and next steps
YMCA Saint John CEO Shilo Boucher said the expansion reflects what families across the east side and nearby communities have been asking for.
“I think the east side gets left out sometimes, and it’s a great connector between the different communities too, such as Rothesay and Quispamsis and Hampton.
She said community feedback has consistently pointed to a need for more recreation access on the east side.
“From this community we’ve heard it. We’ve done community surveys, and it shows that there’s definitely a gap in the east side that we’re going to fulfill.”
Boucher said the YMCA has completed schematic design work and is now moving into final design.
The construction contract has already been tendered, and the organization is preparing for a capital campaign that includes reconnecting with past donors.
Project layout and design drawings
She said the Field House has become a heavily used and sustainable facility since opening in 2019, and the expansion will help meet growing demand for community programs.
Saint John Mayor Donna Noade Reardon said the project will modernize aging rink infrastructure and create a central hub for recreation, learning and community services.
“By bringing recreation, learning, and community resources together under one roof, this new facility will create a central gathering place that promotes health; it’ll promote wellness, inclusion, and community connection,” Reardon said.
Reardon added that the city has been setting aside money for several years to support the project and called the federal contribution a sign of confidence in the region.
The Saint John Exhibition Association, which donated land for the original Field House, is donating additional land for the expansion for one dollar.
The revamped Field House board now includes city representatives and new staff to help steer the project forward.
Officials say the expansion will replace older facilities in the community, increase access to recreation and child‑care programs, and support regional growth.
The YMCA is also running a $6.5‑million capital campaign tied to the project, with a larger public update expected in the fall.
Work on the new facility is expected to begin next year, with completion planned for 2029.
