Community considers options for North Star Arena in North Rustico

Municipalities and community members have started a process to decide what the future will look like for the North Star Arena in NorthRustico, P.E.I.

People from more than a dozen surrounding communities came together to a public meeting on Wednesdayto hear the options on the table.

NorthRustico'sacting mayor says the majority want a new building with more amenities and space for community activities.

"Right now, it's mainly just to get their input on what they feel is needed to service all this area," saidLes Standen.

"It appeared that people wanted to go with option one, which would incorporate not just an NHL-sized ice arena but also exercise walking tracks, meeting rooms, cultural facilities as well as a library."

North Star Arena was built inthe early 1970s and there is concern thebuilding is coming to the end of its operational lifespan.

The arena manager Dave Whitlock said the building is functional right now andoperating at full capacity.

He said there aremany different hockey andringetteleagues using the building every day.

Whitlocksaid the challenge is thatthe facility is dated and space is limited.

The ice surface is smaller than a regulation NHL rink, which limits the events they can hold at the arena.

He expects thatwithin the next few years the arena willneed major repairs to stay open.

"I do see in two to five years ... some structural renovations and mechanical like the plant, the roof, the boards would need to be done," said Whitlock.

"So you're probably looking ata onemillion or twomillion dollar project to be put into it which is not economical to me."

Whitlockwould like to see the arena replaced with a bigger facility instead of renovating.

The arena's board of directors and municipal councils have been discussing what to do with the building for a few months.

And this week more than 90 community members had their chance to weigh in.

People at the meeting put forward other ideas, like adding curling facilities, a pool and fitness centre.

Standen saidthe committee will continue collecting those ideas and work with other municipalities to create a proposal to present to the public.

"Viability is the most important thing," Standen said.

"Can it carry itself?Will there be sufficient revenues to support it down the road? Otherwise you would be asking ... a number of communities to carry something that may not be sustainable,so we have to make sure that it is a viable project."

Standen says this is just the beginning of a long process and a final decision is still far off.

The committee plans to bring on a consultant to look at all options and costs to bring back to the community.

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