Premier Danielle Smith joins Derek Martin, president Redcliff Minor Hockey, and Redcliff town officials to announce a $740,000 Community Facility Enhancement Program grant to replace the ice-making equipment at the 50-year-old Rec-Tangle Arena on Tuesday.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
The Redcliff Rec-Tangle Arena will be able to replace its aging ice plant following the announcement of the $740,000 Community Facility Enhancement Program grant from the province.
Premier Danielle Smith visited the 50 year-old rec centre Tuesday to participate in a cheque presentation with town officials and members of the Redcliff Minor Hockey Association.
The new funding of $740,000 will be matched by the town, totalling $1.41 million, to replace the aging ice making equipment in the arena, and officials hope the new ice plant will be installed by next September.
The upgrade is the second phase of plans to enhance the facility’s efficiency and longevity, as it sees use from more than 150 members of the Redcliff Minor Hockey Association as well as from members of the public and school classes.
“This is a huge opportunity for us to do these upgrades to make our building more efficient, and obviously that has a trickle-down effect to our user groups as well,” said Derek Martin, president Redcliff Minor Hockey.
The project has currently gone to tender, with Canadian companies expected to bid. The timeline includes a two- to three-week request for proposal process.
“From then, we will be analyzing the performance information and we will be presenting to our council so they can make a final decision,” explains Alyshia Neuman, operations director with Redcliff.
Neuman says if approved by council the town hopes to have the new plant installed by September, however factors like construction time and delivery could push the project later.
Martin says during the installation the Rec-Tangle Arena will continue to operate in a community centre capacity and will offer children’s activities including roller and ball hockey.
Martin says the short-term temporary closure will be worth it once the new ice plant is operational.
“It’s a little bit more reassuring that we know that we’ve got a long-term home here in Redcliff for minor hockey.”
Last year, during the first phase of arena upgrades, the town replaced all the dashboards around the ice as well as the brine lines underneath the ice surface.
