The City of Warman’s hopes for a grant from the federal government to put toward the Legends Centre expansion project were dashed last week.
But, after striking out twice so far with grant applications, the city still has another chance to connect for a home run.
In a report to a Warman City Council committee of the whole meeting on Monday, February 15, Warman Recreation and Community Services Manager Paul McGonigal said the application for funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) for the Legends Centre Arena Expansion Project was not approved,
“Notice of the unsuccessful application was received on February 8,” said McGonigal. “It was a long reach, but we tried. The good news is that this was not the last funding stream in the program. There are at least two more funding streams still to come, and we can apply again.”
McGonigal said his department will conduct a “needs assessment” to assist city council in deciding what further steps to take on the project.
The ICIP program will provide more than $896 million in federal funding for all types of Saskatchewan infrastructure projects over 10 years until 2028.
The Legends expansion project, which would see the addition of a second hockey arena built on the north end of the facility, has been in the works since 2018. A design has been approved and the project is part of the city’s 10-year capital plan.
The Legends facility itself, meanwhile, continues to operate within the COVID-19 guidelines established by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
Programs at the multi-purpose facility’s two gymnasiums are ongoing.
Several programs in the arena, including the Warman-Osler Skating Club and the ringette association, have been operating on a limited basis.
McGonigal said demand for ice is far below what it would be in a normal year, and it is likely the ice will be taken out of the Legends Arena in March. If there are further bookings for ice by ringette or minor hockey, the most economical option for the city is to rent out ice at the Warman Diamond Rodeo Arena.
“It costs $7,000 a month to run the ice plant at the Diamond Arena, compared to $30,000 a month at the Legends Centre,” said McGonigal.
He said outdoor ice surfaces, particularly the rink at Prairie Oasis Park, continue to be popular with residents.
Cross-country ski trails in Lions Park are also well-utilized.
“We have received plenty of compliments to date with only a request to expand the skating lane, which we were able to accommodate,” said McGonigial in his report to the February 15 council meeting.
He said there was an instance of vandalism in the men’s washroom on the second floor of the Legends Centre that occurred the evening of February 9. Two suspects, both youths, were positively identified. McGonigal said the RCMP and city recreation department officials are working with the families of the youths involved to find solutions.