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RADILIH KOE'/FORT GOOD HOPE - It may be a bit late, but the community arena in Fort Good Hope is open for business.

"Everyone is just totally happy that it's open now," said recreation co-ordinator Freda Kelly.

Volunteers in Fort Good Hope work to lay the lines at the newly-re-opened community arena. The arena opened in recent weeks after months on the shelf. - photo courtesy of Freda Kelly

"They're anxious to get on the ice."

The arena opened its doors two weeks ago and already teams are juggling ice time. She said the minor hockey team is on the ice Saturdays, while senior men's players are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The rest of the time is shared between the youth centre and public programs.

The $120,000 renovation started in the summer and wrapped up in November, Kelly said. Workers replaced the Plexiglas, repaired boards, drywalled, painted and freshened up the facility.

But after repairs finished, Kelly said things hit a bit of a snag.

"It took about two months to flood the rink," she said. "We had a hard time getting water because we had the water truck hauling the water (to the arena)."

Now that problems are aside, the community is working hard to get things back to normal.

"We're going to start opening the concession to start fundraising for minor hockey and senior men's hockey," Kelly said.

Kelly said they are hoping to have that up and running by the end of the month.