Atikokan Mayor says arena renovation not eligible for federal funds

Plans for major renovations for Atikokan's community arena and pool have come up against many of the same issues that put a stop to the proposed event centre in Thunder Bay.

Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown said hewas told the projectdid not meet funding criteria for renovations to its pool and arena,although it had early signals from the federal government that it would receive money.

"It has to do with jobs and the economy. You can't use the word arena or pool or anything like that. Which is kind of too bad because arenas and pools are very important for recreation and the community," he said

Brown said the arena needs a largerice surface, improvements to the dressing rooms, and a new entrance that wouldlink together the arena and pool. There is also the hope of adding a canteen space.

TheCity of Thunder Bay had a similar experience when it attempted to obtain federalfunds for a new event centre and arena. It received moneyfrom FedNor for studies, but was latertold the project wasineligible for federal funding.

Thunder Bay originally sought $23 million from the federal government and $36 million from the provincial counterpart, butwas informed that the project was not eligible for federal funding because of the involvement of professional sports.

• Thunder Bay event centre plan scrapped

Atikokanstill hopes to obtain $1 million fromFedNorfor the renovations after meeting again with federal officials, Brown said.

"We appealed it and we had the meeting. You know, I think the way things sound now, if we go throughthe right process and use the right words, hopefully we will come up with some funding in the end."