PICTOU - Focus will turn to the floor of the Hector Arena now that the roof is complete.
David Parker, Hector Arena Commission Chair, said a public meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. for people interested in donating to the floor work or coming up with fundraising ideas on how the commission can raise $150,000 needed for new boards and ice surface.
Parker said groups such as minor hockey associations, figure skating clubs and the Pictou North Colchester Agricultural Society will be personally invited to the meeting and anyone who uses the rink or is concerned about its future is also encouraged to attend.
"The cost of this project, which includes the roof and the floor system is between $950,000 and one million dollars," said Parker. "The roof is about a quarter of that. The piping, floor system is about three quarters."
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency recently donated $301,000 to the project while the province has kicked in $90,000. The Town of Pictou and Municipality of Pictou County have also contributed $115,000 and about $100,000 has been donated by the Hector Arena.
This means the commission still needs to raise an additional $150,000.
"If we aren't successful, the rink will not open," Parker said. "It has been in very bad shape for a long time."
He said the meeting is a way for people to find out how they can help out. It may mean that someone contributes $20 a month to the project or it could be a large lump sum donation from a stakeholder or local business.
Parker said in addition to the usual ice-orientated groups that currently use the facility, the commission will also be inviting local seniors groups to the meeting to hear about their plans for a new walking track.
"One of the proposals is a walking track all the way around the perimeter," Parker said. "It will be inside the building. We already have big open hallways and some room in front so there just needs to be a slight modification at the other end."
He added the commission is also considering putting in a system for sledge hockey which would require the ice surface to be a little narrower than its current size.
"Everything is coming out anyway and we are talking about coming in a little bit from all sides," Parker said. "The sledge hockey also requires Plexiglas in front of the players box all the way down to the ice surface."
Parkers said once all of the renovations are complete, the building should be in good shape for the next 25 years.
