THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
The Town of Fort Smith is in the midst of a community relations blitz to introduce residents to about $8 million worth of renovations and repairs now underway at the Centennial Arena, and to convince them to vote in favour of a bond to help pay for the work.

Mayor Brad Brake inside the Fort Smith Centennial Arena. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

A referendum on a $4-million debenture is set for Nov. 17 and guided tours of the facility took place on Oct. 25.

Coun. Don Webb, chair of the plebiscite committee, said close to 100 people showed up to take a look at the facility.

There was a "phenomenal" reaction, he said.

"The buy-in was just unbelievable, because seeing is believing."

Another tour will take place on Nov. 15.

Webb encouraged people to take a look at the work, adding they will be shown the plans and hear an explanation of why the town decided on the project.

A public meeting was also held on Oct. 28 and attracted more than 30 people.

Webb said there were good questions asked at the meeting, including about the decision-making process and the awarding of the contract.

The councillor noted it has been an open process and the contract was not sole-sourced.

"It was a public tender," he said. "The documentation is all there."

Webb said there were not really any objections to the project, although some people wondered why a new arena was not built.

Webb explained the town could not afford a new arena, which would cost between $20 million and $25 million.

"It's beyond our ability to borrow the money. It's beyond the ability of the taxpayers to absorb that big a hit with an increase in taxes."

A second public meeting is set for Nov. 13.

If voters don't approve the debenture, the town will still complete the work with other financial resources, and the possibility of a tax increase.

"I think it will go through," said Mayor Brad Brake of the plebiscite. "I'm hopeful."

The arena was damaged by fire in May 2013 and repairs to the fire damage and some code upgrades totalled $1.3 million, with $1 million coming from insurance and the rest from the town.

Town council then decided to do additional renovations totalling $6.85 million. Of that number, $1 million is coming from recreation infrastructure reserves and $1.85 million from capital project funding.

The town is proposing the $4 million balanced be financed by securing a bond.

An existing $4 million debenture for the swimming pool is to be paid off by February, and it would be renewed for the arena.

Webb and Brake gave News/North a tour of the arena on Nov. 2.

The work began in June and Brake said the repairs to the fire-damaged area are about 70 per cent complete, with the other renovations about halfway done.

"It's moving along," he said.

Work is expected to be completed by fall of next year.

The ice surface was to become available to users on Nov. 8 in an arrangement similar to last year with washrooms and change rooms in trailers outside the building.

However, Brake and Webb proudly pointed out the improvements that have already been made to the arena, while explaining where changes are still to be made.

One of the highlights so far is LED lighting, which makes the interior much brighter.

The LED lights are phenomenal, said Brake. "These LED lights will pay for themselves in four to five years, and over the lifespan of the facility we can save anywhere from $2.5 to $4 million just on energy costs on the lighting."

Another notable change so far is the players' benches have been moved to the opposite side of the ice.

Webb noted the arena will also be warmer with additional insulation.

"You won't have to bring blankets anymore," he quipped.

With the renovations, the lifespan of the 46-year-old arena is being extended by at least 35 years.

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