The City of Cold Lakes hopes the MD of Bonnyville can help with the construction of a new arena. Former city councillor Armand Gagnier asked MD council for a one-time contribution of around $3 million to the Community Events Centre on Sept. 22.
To put it in perspective, he said the total requested amount of $3,070,000 amortized over 50 years, (the expected life of the coliseum-style arena), would only be $75,000 per year.
Gagnier said the arena is needed to replace two existing arenas that are in “terrible, terrible condition,” in Cold Lake south and north, both which are long past the expected life spans.
The north arena has a fifty-fifty chance of the ice-maker working, Gagnier explained. “The citizens of Cold Lake and the area want and deserve a more modern facility.”
Gagnier is looking for $6.5 million in corporate and industry sponsorships to fund the Events Centre. He told council 30 per cent of money raised so far has been from companies headquartered in Bonnyville. The City contributed 70 per cent of the money, $15.3 million.
Gagnier informed council no federal or provincial money would go to the project.
“The MP has told me there is no money for recreation in Canada. Maybe in Quebec City, but not anywhere else,” he said, to muffled laughter in the chamber.
He estimated utilization of the centre at 20 per cent of MD residents. Coun. Delano Tolley requested clarification on Gagnier's estimate.
“A lot of our MD residents are military and they feel part of the military community. They can get a membership or recreation pass fairly reasonably to use everything at J.J. Parr, so that's where they go,” said Tolley after the meeting.
Clint Cook, with Cold Lake minor hockey, told council there is a “dire need for more facilities in Cold Lake,” after Gagnier's presentation.
The building will be 95,000 square feet in size and include 1,500 permanent seats and 300 movable seats. The plan includes six dressing rooms, a centre ice score clock, concessions, a kitchen, and some retail space. The structure also includes an upper concourse level.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new arena will occur on Oct. 6 at noon.
The MD contributed $1.5 million to phase one of the Energy Centre, which included a health and wellness centre and a field house.