Construction activity is expected to ramp up this June for the new Dawson City Recreation Centre, marking a major step forward for the long-term community project. Following a planned winter pause, crews from general contractor Wildstone Construction Ltd. are set to resume work at the site located at the corner of Dome Road and the North Klondike Highway.
The 2026 summer season will focus on completing civil works, pouring the concrete slab, and erecting the structure for the new facility. Once completed, the project will provide a 5,330-square-metre building, which is approximately 1,060 square metres larger than the current Art and Margaret Fry Recreation Centre. The existing facility remains open to the public during the construction process.
The new recreation centre is supported by $72.2 million in total funding. This includes $63.9 million from the federal and territorial governments through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, along with an additional $8.3 million provided by the Yukon Government specifically for site preparation.
The upcoming facility is designed to host a wide range of amenities, including a curling rink, a skating rink, a fitness centre, and an indoor play space. Residents will also have access to a walking loop, a community programming room, a multi-purpose room, and a canteen. The building is officially expected to open in the spring of 2028.
Dave Henderson, the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Dawson, noted that the project is a significant source of community pride. He stated that the new centre will provide long-term benefits and that the community will be pleased with the final result once construction is finished.
