Dartmouth Sportsplex ice surface to open again soon

The demolition stage of the Dartmouth Sportsplex project is over and the reconstruction work has begun.

The $23-million retrofit of the facility is expected to be completed by September 2018 but people will soon have access to the arena section of the complex.

The plan is to put in the ice on Sept. 11, according to Max Chauvin, general manager of the Sportspex. He said the walking track around the rink will likely be open by Thanksgiving. A few fitness machines will also be set up on one section of the track.

There will be daily drop-in rate charged to those using the arena.

When the construction is completed there will be a new gymnasiumin the back of the building and a new fitness centre at the front.Drainage piping around the pool will be updated and a new water slideinstalled.

Construction work so farhas not uncovered any major surprises.

Chauvin said the project is on time and on budget. Administrativeoffices have been set up in the sky box area of the rink, so Sportsplexofficials can monitor the progress on a daily basis.

"It's so exciting, you can watch walls come down and realize thisarea is going to be open now," said Chauvin.