Interior News Article on Oct. 23 Open House!
On Oct. 23 Hazelton residents will get their first chance to see what their future arena may look like at an open house held at the Skeena Ice Arena.
The Skeena Ice Arena Association’s Building Committee have been busy since they were appointed in January. Funding from the Northern Development Initiative Trust which was secured through the Village of Hazelton was used to complete a business plan which supports building the new arena on the land adjacent to the current one. In addition, $350,000 from the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs is being used to further the business plan, prep and survey the initial site, conduct a geotechnical study and proceed with a review of available mechanical and energy systems for the new facility.
In July, the Building Committee selected the team of Tom Madden from Prince George and Jeff Holland from Hazelton to act as Project Managers. The duo will be assisting the Committee to carry out the Business Plan. They also hired Dan Condon Architecture to prepare a concept plan.
Committee Chair, George Muldoe, said the committee and Project Management team have recently presented their Business Plan to many stakeholders such as; the Village of Hazelton council, New Hazelton council, the Gitxsan Chiefs and the Gitxsan Government Commission. They also made a presentation at the recent UBCM convention in Whistler last week to a variety of provincial Ministers. Next will be the scheduled open house in Hazelton which the Committee is confident will be a solid next step.
"We feel very comfortable in moving forward with the project,” Muldoe said. "The team of Madden and Holland have over 30 years experience each. Tom in the recreation facility construction and operation and Jeff with general construction of all types.”
There will be refreshments and treats provided at the open house and it will be held from 11 a.m. through to 8 p.m. and everyone is welcome.
