Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 18/02) - The city is wavering on its promised opening date for the new arena, just three weeks away from the appointed day of Oct. 7.

Twin pad timeline Sept. 10, 2002 -- Ratepayers approve borrowing $1.632 million to finish first phase of arena complex by a vote of 267 to 155. Voter turnout was 11 per cent. August 2002 -- City confirms the arena won't be open until the beginning of October. The original target was Sept. 20. July 2002 -- The city audit committee is asked to report to council on why the twin-pad arena went $2.5 million over budget. Re-opening Gerry Murphy Arena was ruled out as it was determined the cost to bring it up to code was $1.8 million. June 2002 -- Council decides to seek ratepayer support for a $1.632 million loan to complete phase one of the arena. May 2002 -- Cost overruns of $2 million were revealed. Mayor Gord Van Tighem says a tax increase or borrowing were alternatives to cover the increase. The arena complex's budgeted $11.267 million cost was not pegged at $13.167 million. March 2002 -- Plans were announced to seek sponsorships to raise the $2.8 million to complete the second arena pad. Getting your name on a dressing room will cost $20,000; having the arena named after you will cost $500,000. December 2001 -- Controversy arises when PCL Constructors North, the arena construction manager, wins a sub-contract. Sept. 2001 -- The Department of National Defence announces it will give the city $1 million to build a gymnasium at the twin-pad arena site. During the same month, the Yellowknife Gymnastics Club gets approval to build its new facility there as well. August 2001 -- Council decides to build a phased twin-pad arena. May 2001 -- Mayor Gord Van Tighem casts the deciding vote to build a new arena at the Yellowknife Correctional Centre site. The facility was originally planned for a field beside Sir John Franklin high school.

The city isn't giving word yet on an updated opening date for the facility, but Grant White, the city's director of community services, said problems with contractors might push the date back.

The arena was originally scheduled to open in mid-September. Since then, the date has gradually been set back.

Asked why the delay might happen, White said, "The safest thing to say right now is just scheduling issues with contractors. We're hopefully meeting Wednesday afternoon to hammer all this out and get a clearer picture as to where we are."

After being told the arena could open later than expected, Dave Gilday, head coach of the Yellowknife Speedskating Club, said among ice user groups "Nobody's really angry."

"I think they're (the city) trying their best.

"You've got to make the best of what you've got.

"At least you didn't say they're talking now about January or something," he said.

"The frustration is that it takes away from creating some momentum towards finishing the second phase," said Mayor Gord Van Tighem, who said the opening date will "probably" be delayed.

He said Yellowknife is competing with the red-hot Alberta construction industry for labour as well as parts and equipment.

"It's the temper of the times," he said, adding that user groups still want the city to avoid cutting corners in completing the arena.

White said "a lot" of work remains on the arena.

The building still needs electrical, mechanical and structural work. Concrete needs to be poured for some floors and the second-floor mezzanine.

The ice plant, which cools the ice, isn't operational yet. Masonry work is ongoing throughout the building.

"You poke your head in there, you see walls that are in various states of completion. Some are completed, some aren't," he said.

The new arena is already $2.6 million over budget, but White said that figure hasn't changed since earlier this summer.

Ratepayers voted last week to approve a city request to borrow $1.6 million to complete construction on the first ice pad.

The city estimates the second pad will cost $3.4 million, money which won't be available from the city for at least another three or four years.

Meanwhile, ice user groups met Sept. 4 to compromise on ice use. (More details are available in the sports section of today's Yellowknifer.)

"We are doing everything we can to make sure the process stays on line and we open as soon as we can," said White.