The process to upgrade Lumby’s Pat Duke Memorial Arena is being fast-tracked.
A committee will be formed to proceed with improvements to the arena after the community won $100,000 by being named a finalist for the Kraft Hockeyville title.
“We will sit down and try to determine what needs to occur,” said Rick Fairbairn, White Valley Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee chairperson.
Besides representatives from the parks board and the village, the process will include user groups and those who organized the Hockeyville campaign.
“Everyone will be at the table,” said Randal Ostafichuk, WVPRCAC director.
“The community groups that put the effort in will have a say in how the money is spent.”
The priority for upgrades is proper change rooms for female hockey players.
Currently, an eight-foot-by-10-foot closet is designated for girls and women.
“It will be challenging to figure out where it will fit into the building because of limited space but there will be discussions around that,” said Fairbairn.
Ostafichuk admits the upgrades have always been on WVPRCAC’s radar.
“With the $100,000, it speeds the process up,” he said.
On Saturday, Lumby will find out if it wins the Kraft Hockeyville title and an NHL pre-season game.