Yellowknife (Mar 05/03) - The city's new recreation facility is without a name and Mayor Gord Van Tighem would like to see that change as soon as possible.

Might the sparkling new facility soon be called the Wal-Mart Multiplex? Or perhaps the Diamondplex, with Ekati, Diavik and De Beers participating jointly?

Which firm will step forward isn't clear, but marketing and fundraising efforts to complete the second phase of the complex have kicked into high gear.

It has one complete ice sheet, a gymnastics facility and the Department of National Defence-funded gymnasium. There's room for a second ice sheet, but that will only come when money is available.

"It is either raise the funds now to complete phase two or wait for the money to come in bit by bit," said Van Tighem.

"That could take up to four years. Any funds we raise now will reduce the amount that we have to get from transfers.

"Or if we get to the point of looking at borrowing, it would reduce that too."

The primary marketing focus for the mayor's office is selling corporate sponsors on the benefits of "investment opportunities" in the arena.

Marketing campaign has begun

The city last week sent information brochures and letters to Yellowknife firms, inviting them to participate.

The asking price for adding a corporate name to the facility: $500,000.

"We have had naming proposals from several companies already, including one in six figures."

For a name on either of the two rinks, the price is $250,000; for the gymnastics club $100,000; and for the Zamboni, $80,000.

Prices range from there to $20,000 for dressing rooms and $10,000 for players boxes.

The dollar values were set last year by the arena fundraising committee.The first phase of the project, including the Olympic size rink, is now virtually complete. Work is proceeding during the day on the concession areas, dressing facilities and meeting rooms.

Construction to date has cost about $13 million, $2 million over budget.

The Gymnastics Club is in use, although it's still being completed, and a gymnasium funded by the DND will be in use shortly.

Both contributed about $1 million each to bring their facilities into the new building, said Van Tighem.

Van Tighem said community participation in the arena to date has been "unique" for Yellowknife.

"Up to this point most of the big facilities have been built with public funding. The approach with this building presented some unique opportunities for community participation.

"We have seen that already with the Gymnastics Club and the gym built by the DND."

Economic spinoffs to the city with the completion of the Multiplex will be significant, he said. That includes trade and related conventions and high-profile sporting events.

"Yellowknife has been talking about a twin-rink arena since the 1970s. The demand is there."