For parents looking to book ice time for their children, there could be some relief in the coming years. The University of Alberta is looking to build a twin arena, with times available for community members, but parking could become an issue.

U of A officials brought forward a proposal to build the new facility next to the existing Saville Centre on the South Campus. The facility would feature two rinks: one for the community, and the other for competition and programming through the U of A, along with a high performance training facility and research centre.

At this time, the U of A has an arrangement with the Clare Drake Arena on campus.

“My friends who play hockey competitively, they say it’s hard because it’s a juggle because of the Golden Bears hockey team,” U of A student Jonah Weyessa said.

The new, $65 million facility would be built on the west side of the Saville Centre.

The U of A is asking the city to put forward $20 million for the project; the rest of the funds would come from donors, and the federal and provincial governments.

However, the project has faced one issue already: parking.

Officials debated who should pay, whether users should either pay up front, or through the fee they pay to use the facility, or if someone else should cover it altogether.

“We just need to figure out how to nest it appropriately, is it vouchers? What’s the right mechanism to make sure, as well, that the university isn’t out of pocket on this, because it’s not their jurisdiction to provide free parking to Edmonton’s arena recreation users,” Mayor Don Iveson said.

Initial plans for parking at the new facility are for a 600 stall surface parking lot, and if there’s demand for more spots, adding another 600 later. The lots are not included in the $65 million cost of the project.

Mayor Don Iveson put forward a motion to write a letter to the U of A, indicating the City’s support, but subject to other funding, scope and the parking issue – that motion passed.

Officials hope to have construction started by the fall of 2017, with the project completed by 2019 or 2020.

With files from Breanna Karstens-Smith