A conceptual design by the projects architects shows what the new rec centre could look like. (Council Agenda Package/City of P.A.)

By Alison Sandstrom

Big bucks

Prince Albert hopes to fundraise $15 million for new recreation complex

Mar 31, 2021 | 5:00 PM

The City of Prince Albert is hoping to raise $15 million dollars towards the construction of its new multimillion recreation complex.

City council established a fundraising committee for the project at Monday night’s meeting.

Mayor Greg Dionne told paNOW he’s looking ahead to future stages of the complex with fundraising efforts, including the WHL-size arena in phase two.

“We still have to get the other two phases in the picture. That’s what I’m moving towards,” Dionne said. “They’re going to be built, it’s when we can finance them.”

The total estimated cost of the Arenas and Aquatic Recreation Complex is $125 million.

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Currently only the first $60 million phase—two arenas and an aquatic centre—is funded. The city has secured $44 million of federal and provincial money and has approved taking out a $16 million dollar loan for the remainder.

Phase two, which will include a WHL-size arena, is also estimated to cost $60 million. A daycare and branch library, estimated at $5 million, are planned for phase three.

Dionne told council on Monday night he was bringing forward the proposal for the fundraising committee at that time because he was “soon going to accept a $1 million dollar donation towards the aquatic centre.”

“So, I need to get some agreements drafted,” he said.

Developing funding contracts between the city and donors will be part of the committee mandate, along with developing a comprehensive fundraising strategy and setting targets. It’s also tasked with creating a sponsorship program to enable naming rights for various components of the facility, like the aquatic centre and rinks.

Although $15 million has tentatively been set as a goal, Dionne said they’ll raise more if possible,

“Ideally, we’d like to raise $20 million and certainly we will never stop raising money until the building is open,” he said. “It’s public money and any money that you get can go to pay for extra things in the facility if we go over, or you can use it to pay off debt.”

The fundraising committee will have five members. Dionne and Coun. Don Cody will be co-chairs. Three members of the community—who have not yet been selected—will also be appointed.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom