Upgrades to the Bentley arena were completed over the summer just in time for the new season.
An arena renovation fund that was kick started by funding received from Kraft Hockeyville when Bentley ended up being in the top four in the competition in 2011 for which they received $25,000.00, ended up being $100,000.00. That has now been all but used up, leaving less than $3,000.00.
New rubber floor matting cost $38,500.00.
New brighter, more efficient lighting cost $19,650.00, and overhead infrared heaters were an additional $22,000.00.
Renovations to rest rooms claimed the rest with replacement toilets, sinks, and urinals being $6,900.00, flooring in lobby washrooms another $3,550.00 and the epoxy finish on shower walls and floors another $6,800.00. All figures are approximate.
All this was made possible due to the volunteers on the Hockeyville committee who started the fundraising and helped Bentley place so well, by getting matching grants, and from Lacombe County and other gracious groups and donors.
Another improvement will come with the motion to purchase a new walk-behind floor scrubber for $5,000.00 being passed at the town council meeting of October 8, with funding from the 2013 arena budget.
CORRECTION
An article in the Oct. 22 edition of the Rimbey Review titled Bentley arena upgrades are now complete incorrectly stated funding for the arena renovations came from Kraft Hockeyville or any matching grants. The $97,377 used for renovations was cost shared equally by the Town of Bentley and the County of Lacombe. A grant of $16,735 came from Alberta Recycle to cover the cost of matting.
The Review apologizes for this error.