Ice could soon be returning to the arena in Wembley, something that has been absent from the building since a fire in June of 2020 damaged a significant amount of the building (Photo: Source Energy Arena and Rec Centre / Facebook)

By Abby Zieverink

Source Energy Arena

Wembley arena on track for Oct.1 reopening: Rebuild committee

Aug 10, 2021 | 12:12 PM

The Source Energy Arena in Wembley is well on its way to opening back up to the public by October 1.

This after the Wembley arena committee, Ag. society and rebuild committee asked County of Grande Prairie Council on Monday for $37,275, equalling 50 per cent of the start-up costs for the ice plant.

County Reeve Leanne Beaupre says getting the Wembley arena back up and running will help relieve some of the stress that other ice surfaces in the area have faced, after a fire caused significant damage in June of 2020.

“The Wembley arena is integral to the regional ice system that we have in the County of Grande Prairie and all of the different user groups are dependant on being able to use some of that ice. So, the fact that it’s been out of commission for a little while, it will help.”

Arena Rebuild Committee Chair Renee Corrigal says these funds will not be for the overall repairs of the building, but will be used to bring the arena portion of the building in alignment with its October 1 reopening goal.

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“This, unfortunately, is just maintenance and stuff that needed to be done on our current ice plant to ensure it works for the following year.”

Corrigal says in a normal year the arena is able to pay for the yearly maintenance itself. Although since being shut down for the past year and with the ongoing pandemic, fundraising has been difficult.

“We’ve been fundraising this whole time, just without a building, it’s been very difficult. The fundraising is at a small scale,” said Corrigal.

“Going forward we have our ice rentals, multipurpose room rentals, a lot of weddings and events that are in the building, so that will bring us back in line.”

Corrigal says the support from County Council has been extremely generous, from helping fund the fire rebuild up to $350,000, to now helping with the ice plant maintenance.

“We do feel very lucky to have the support… Our community is behind us, they’re anxiously waiting for the building to reopen, hockey to return and the kids to get back on the ice…The board is ecstatic to be back on track.”

Corrigal says they will be approaching the Town of Wembley for the additional 50 per cent of funds for the start-up costs.