Some significant funding is welcome news to the community of Callander.
On Friday during a press conference held by MPP Vic Fedeli, he announced that the Bill Barber Arena will be receiving $372,510 in funding through the Northern Ontario Heritage Corporation (NOHFC).
It was one of five area projects that received financial support from the NOHFC.
Ashley Bilodeau, Senior Municipal Director, Municipality of Callander, thanks Fedeli, the NOHFC, and the province for recognizing the need for improvement at the local Callander arena.
"The rink floor and boards are at their end-of-life expectancy and this funding will ensure our regional area continues to have free access to rink time throughout the winter months," explained Bilodeau.
"We’ll also be able to expand our recreational draw by providing a level concrete surface, offering new opportunities for gathering and connection. We are entirely grateful to continue improving this unique facility, named after our local hockey legend, Bill Barber, and cannot wait to share these rink upgrades with residents and tourists alike."
Bilodeau expects the project will begin in the spring.
"Right now the asphalt is crumbling, the rink boards are deteriorating quite significantly so we already have the rink boards on order so they should be in shortly," she said.
She believes those opportunities outside winter hockey and skating are important.
"That means we will be able to offer our programmers opportunities such as shuffleboard and pickle ball and outdoor weddings would be more beneficial because the surface is flat so there are lots of opportunities for events, such as the Country Music Festival as we would love to see that come back," she said.
Bilodeau says the total cost of the project is $500,000.
