Minnedosa fired up about arena project

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This article was published 29/07/2021 (1503 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After 12 years of preparation, a new arena for the Town of Minnedosa is finally within reach.

Last week, the federal and provincial governments jointly announced funding for several recreation and culture projects in Manitoba, including a combined $3.75 million for a new regional events centre and arena.

A media release sent out by the town on Wednesday morning stated that $6.9 million of the expected $8-million price tag of the project has been assembled. Now Minnedosa can move forward and commission a final design for the venue and find a contractor to do the work.

Minnedosa is prepared to borrow up to $3.5 million to complete the project. The nearby RMs of Minto-Odanah and Oakview have also committed to supporting the project financially.

Ideally, the town would like to get donations or sponsorship for the new facility to help cover the funding gap.

Speaking to the Sun by phone on Wednesday, Minnedosa Mayor Pat Skatch said the new facility won’t just be a new home for the hockey leagues playing out of the existing arena, but for several other sports and activities as well.

“It’s an older facility that doesn’t have an NHL official-sized ice surface,” Skatch said of the existing Minnedosa Arena. “It’s in need of a lot of tender loving care. The decision back 12 years ago was, do we put funds into doing as much tender loving care as it needs, or is it more economical to build a new facility. The council of the day felt it was in the best interest of the community to look into replacing our existing arena that hosts more than just hockey, skating, the winter-type recreation.”

According to Skatch, it’s unlikely the town would have been able to build the arena if not for the helping hand from other levels of government.

“I honestly cannot describe the feeling that I have that we are finally able to proceed after all these years, after all the hours that so many people in our community have put in on this project,” she said. “It brings tears to your eyes that we can actually go ahead with something we’ve worked on so laboriously for so many years.”

The town is hoping that it won’t just be an upgrade for locals, but also an attraction that will bring people from farther away for a visit.

“Once built, the arena will be the final piece of an events hub also featuring soccer pitches, baseball diamond, agricultural barn and rodeo grounds.”

Skatch isn’t sure what will happen to the existing arena once the new one is built, but some thought has been given to finding a buyer for the facility or salvaging pieces that are still usable.

She thanked the committee tasked with bringing the new arena to fruition for their hard work as well as the RMs partnering with Minnedosa to build the facility and previous town councils that got the ball rolling.

Construction is expected to begin late this year or in early 2022.

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