A recent visit from our local member of Provincial Parliament has marked a major milestone in renovating Arnprior’s arena.
Billy Denault met with town officials late last week to announce that the Nick Smith Centre revitalization project will receive a $1 million investment through the Communication Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, a development that matters a lot to the Arnprior native.
The announcement is part of a sweeping round of funding that will see $2 million total spread amongst several community recreation projects within Renfrew County.
Graeme Ivory, Arnprior’s Recreation Director, notes that the money will go into a total refresh of both the Glenn Arthur and Bert Hall arenas that will feature the arena pads and their refrigeration piping replaced, new arena boards, glass and netting, new arena stands with accessibility improvements, new rubber flooring, retrofits to audience comfort heating, equitable storage space for user groups, meeting rooms, and a climate-controlled public mezzanine that provides viewing into both arenas.
Ivory adds that the project, which comes with an estimated $7 million price tag, is coming along nicely despite what he says will be a busy couple of months of construction to be ready in time for hockey season.
Mayor Lisa McGee says the town is grateful for the support, adding that “the Nick Smith Centre has long served as the recreation hub for Arnprior and surrounding communities, playing a vital role in sports, recreation activities, events, and a lifetime of memories. This revitalization project ensures this facility will support the needs of our growing municipality and continue to make the Nick Smith Centre a key economic driver for the Ottawa Valley.”
(written by Kasey Egan)
