New lighting, roofing and score clocks are among repairs and improvements to city-owned arenas in the first phase of a multimillion-dollar renovation program.

According to the city, more than $3 million in repairs and improvements are now completed at the Winnipeg facility as part of this multi-year project.

The first phase included improved rink lighting at Sam Southern and Terry Sawchuk Arenas, roof upgrades and replacement at Century and Charlie Gardiner Arenas, new score clocks at Billy Mosienko, Century and Terry Sawchuk Arenas. , improving the ice installations at Billy Mosienko, Charlie Gardiner and Arénas Maginot, as well as upgrading the electrical ice control system and carbon monoxide sensors in several others.

At a news conference Monday at the Terry Sawchuk Arena, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said that while many of the improvements aren’t very dramatic, they are essential to the longevity of each facility.

“Improvements such as replacing electrical circuit breakers, renewing concrete and repairing roofs may not seem like exciting projects, but they are fundamental to extending the life of our facilities and keeping them in good working order” , he declared.

The work doesn’t stop there. The city said the next batch of projects planned for 2025 includes new accessible restrooms at Sam Southern Arena, ice plant upgrades at St. Vital Arena, as well as concrete repairs at six other facilities.

Work was given the green light in 2022 when Winnipeg city council approved $8 million for repairs and maintenance of city-owned arenas as part of a provincially funded strategy to upgrade the facilities recreation and libraries in Manitoba.

Glen Simard, Manitoba’s Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations, said more projects should get an influx of funds thanks to more investment in the program.

“The expansion of the program will support the redevelopment of the former Exhibition Stadium site in conjunction with the relocation of the Northern Police District station and the Winnipeg Indigenous Sport Achievement Center offices,” he said. declared.

The city said the next phase of the project involves building condition assessments and repairs at eligible community center arenas as well as additional investments in city-operated arenas.