‘You can feel the energy’: Heavy Metal place celebrates grand opening in Spruce Grove

The new Heavy Metal Place can be seen at the grand opening in Spruce Grove on May 10, 2025. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton)

The City of Spruce Grove is celebrating its largest project ever.

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The grand opening for Heavy Metal Place was held on Saturday at the new arena and cultural centre at 50 Westwind Drive.

The building will be the new home of the Spruce Grove Saints and the Spruce Grove Allied Art Council. It also has a public library branch, an art gallery, a black box theatre, a program room and walking track.

“It’s going to serve our community for decades to come,” said Spruce Grove Mayor Jeff Acker. “People are excited. You can feel the energy in this building.”

Acker said he’s incredibly proud to see the work that has gone into the project. While the building took two-and-a-half years to build, he said it’s been on the city’s mind for more than a decade.

“I’m just extremely thrilled. This has been a long-time coming to finally open the doors and see the community come out,” he added.

The new community area in Heavy Metal Place is being named in honour of fallen Edmonton Police Service constable and Spruce Grove resident Brett Ryan.

The Spruce Grove Saints will move into the spectator arena for the start of next season, something goaltender Joseph Quintilo said will benefit the team and its supporters.

“It’s unreal, just the amount of effort that’s gone into this place is huge for us,” Quintilo said. “It’s awesome.”

“It’s so big and such a great atmosphere for people to watch games.”

The new community centre, formerly called the Civic Centre Project, is named for sponsor Heavy Metal Equipment and Rentals.

It was built with funding from Parkland County and the Government of Alberta’s Municipal Sustainability Initiative, as well as other groups.