Photo: Source Energy Arena and Recreation Centre / Facebook

By Shaun Penner

Shipping delays

County of Grande Prairie approves $38,000 for Wembley arena ice plant rental, installation

Oct 13, 2021 | 3:06 PM

County of Grande Prairie council has approved up to $38,000 in funding towards the Source Energy Arena in Wembley to help rent and install a temporary ice plant as the facility awaits the arrival of a cooling tower purchased earlier this year.

This is needed by the Wembley Arena Rebuild Committee, as a delay in the shipping of the new ice plant they had purchased following a significant fire at the facility in 2020 has further delayed the reopening of the arena to the community.

After a lengthy discussion amongst council at a special meeting on Tuesday, Reeve Leanne Beaupre says council passed the motion to grant the funding to help cover installation and two months of rent costs of the unit.

“We just wanted to make sure we understood where the (Wembley and District) Ag Society was with the piece of equipment, making sure that any funding that we did give them was the right amount, and that it would be used for the purpose that it was intended for.”

This funding follows a previously approved $37,000 back in the summer to go towards the start-up costs of the needed cooling tower, which Arena Rebuild Committee Chair Renee Corrigal had hoped would arrive in time to have the arena open in October or November of this year.

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However, due to supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, she says the committee has been left in limbo about when the ice plant could arrive.

“It’s definitely disappointing, and a huge delay on our project,” said Corrigal. “But, in the reality of it, this is affecting so many things that we can’t be shocked.”

The rebuild committee has made an additional funding request to the Town of Wembley to help cover additional months if needed. Corrigal adds they have also put a request out to industry to help cover some of the costs to get the arena back open for the community.

Corrigal says with funding secured from the County, though, they are cautiously hopeful they can have ice in the arena by early November, though an inspection is still required to give the arena a final passing grade.

“We’re on a very, very tight timeline to still have ice for November, as long as everything falls into place.”

Beaupre, understanding the situation the rebuild committee is facing with further delays, says council is happy to help get the arena open for area user groups where and when they can.

“(They) are volunteers, and they are doing the very best job that they can under the circumstances. There are a lot of moving parts to this arena rebuild… and they are doing the very best that they can under the circumstances.”

The funding is conditional on a successful building inspection, and any insurance rebates for the cost of the temporary rental be returned to the County of Grande Prairie.