Richmond County will spend $5 million over 20 years to make repairs to the Richmond Arena.
At last night’s regular monthly meeting in Arichat, Richmond Municipal Council approved a temporary borrowing resolution amounting to $380,000 per year.
During the meeting, Warden Lois Landry said there is an appetite to make upgrades to the current facility, located along Whiteside Road, just outside Louisdale, to avoid any closures or delayed openings.
Pointing to a need to also consider a new facility, Deputy Warden Amanda Mombourquette said she’s been hearing from residents complaining about congested, narrow hallways at the arena.
District 3 Councillor Brian Marchand asked if the work to the arena flooring and refrigeration system can begin by the summer, and CAO Troy MacCulloch said they’re trying to get commitments from contractors at the moment.
The warden said staff is pursuing funding options for the arena and trying to get applications expedited.
Because the municipality is pursuing funding from various sources, including the federal and provincial governments, MacCulloch added that they cannot put any shovels in the ground until funding is secured.