The existing arena was built in 1961 and served the community well for many years. The 60-year-old building has reached the end of its life span and plans are underway for significant upgrades. The arena is the heartbeat of the community, providing not only a venue for hockey and figure skating, but also many other community and recreational activities.
The upgrades to the arena will take place in two phases. Phase 1 will begin in the Spring of 2022 with the removal of the old wooden structure and the erection of a new steel structure in its place. The kitchen, ice surface, and dressing rooms will be retained.
Phase 2 will consist of renovated, fully accessible washrooms, four new dressing rooms, referee room, Zamboni room, and mechanical room.
The community of Ituna rallied the province in 2017 and became one of the top two finalists in the Kraft Hockeyville competition and won $100,000 to be used for arena upgrades. This launched the Arena’s Cooperative’s local fundraising efforts, including successful farming projects, ladies’ nights, hockey tournaments and an on-line auction. To-date the Arena Cooperative has fundraised $600,000, including a donation of $100,000 from the RM of Bon Accord.
In July 2021, the Town of Ituna approved a $1 million contribution to the Arena Upgrade Project.
The committee has actively been applying for infrastructure grants but the status on them is currently unknown. The rising cost of building materials combined with the dilapidated state of the roof make the retrofit urgent and Phase 1 is expected to be completed by fall 2022.
The arena is vital to the Town of Ituna, and residents in the nearby rural and First Nations communities and municipalities. The Capital Building Campaign calls on individuals and businesses, both big and small, to support this project and keep the arena alive in the community. Various sponsorship and donation opportunities exist to make this project a success.
