Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 28/04) - Diavik Diamond Mines president Joe Carrabba says it's his company's goal to ring in the new year with a fresh sheet of ice at the Multiplex.

The company embarked on a mission earlier this month to see if they could help out City Hall with the second ice pad at the Multiplex Arena.

Diavik president, Joe Carrabba, seated next to councillor David McCann, told city council Monday that they're ready to go ahead with completing the second pad of the Multiplex Arena. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding, March 31, and Diavik agreed to investigate the feasibility of taking on construction of the second pad.

On Monday morning, the company handed down its decision: They believe they can get it done for almost half what the city originally thought it would cost, and have it ready by the end of the year.

"Our team is ready to mobilize," said Carrabba.

"Our goal, at this time, is to have kids skating before Christmas."

Carrabba told city council that after savings on equipment and material, corporate donations, and other fundraising efforts, they figure the bottom line on the second pad will come in at around $2.2 million.

"I think we can (save) further, but today this is what I think we can deliver," said Carrabba.

The city original predicted the second pad would cost $4 million, although that figure included additional work needed on the exterior. Diavik will focus solely on the interior of the second rink.

If the city agrees with Diavik's proposal, the mining company will take over as project manager for construction of the rink.

That way, the city can avoid taking the project to tender, as they did with Phase I of the arena. For their part, Diavik will lend engineering expertise and financial clout to get the second pad built more quickly and at a lower cost.

The first pad went $2 million over-budget at $13 million. Until Diavik came along, the city wasn't planning to open the second pad until 2007.

Lion's share of the work

Carrabba said Diavik intends to sole-source the lion's share of the work to Nahanni Construction, a local company he said they feel comfortable working with.

All that's left now is for city council to decide whether to give Diavik the green light. Council will hold a special noon-hour meeting this Friday to make a decision.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said if council gives Diavik the nod, work will begin immediately.

"As soon as we sign the papers," said Van Tighem.

"(The work) might even start on Friday."