Province Announces $17.8 Million For Enmax Centre Renos

The Alberta Government has come through with a big chunk of cash for the City of Lethbridge and the renovation project which just got started at the Enmax Centre.

The City had committed 33.7 million dollars to the project, but today the Province came through with 17.8 million from the Municipal Sustainability Program. Ray Danyluk, the Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs was in Lethbridge on Tuesday morning to make the announcement:

“Over the years, the ENMAX Centre has been a hub of activity for citizens in communities across southern Alberta. I am pleased that the Government of Alberta can support an expansion project that brings communities together,” said Danyluk. “Throughout the province, MSI funding is having a real impact, by enabling local councils, like Lethbridge, to make decisions that meet the needs of their citizens.”

The provincial funding announced today is in addition to the $3.7 million in funding from the province’s Major Community Facilities Program announced last December.

In addition to the funding from the Province, the City of Lethbridge will contribute $4.3 million and, in partnership with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, support a loan of $7.9 million which will be paid back through a combination of new facility revenues sources, and a contribution from the Hurricanes of $2.5 million over 15 years.

Demolition of a portion of the existing structure has begun, and the building is closed for renovations over the summer. Construction will be scheduled over a three-year period, with major construction phases scheduled during the summer months.

“During the height of the entertainment season the shows will go on,” says Mayor Bob Tarleck. “The expansion is scheduled for completion in the late summer of 2012. Once the project is complete, the upgraded facility will continue to bring high quality entertainment to the city for another 35 years.”

(In the above photo: Mayor Bob Tarleck, Hurricanes Finance Committee Chair Shaun Haney, Lethbridge West MLA Greg Weadick, Lethbridge East MLA Bridget Pastoor, and Minister Ray Danyluk)

Have a great day!
Pat

Canes' on Season Ticket Push

The Lethbridge Hurricanes have a push on for more seasons tickets.

I spoke with the team's Business Operations Manager Geoff Stewart today. He told me the goal is to have more than 2000 seasons tickets sold by the end of next week. He says season ticket renewals have already equaled last year's numbers for July. Stewart says as of now 1300 season tickets have been sold, but he's very confident this ticket drive will see them hit the 2000 mark sometime during the first week of August.

Stewart says with the building renovations ongoing and unused playoff credits still out there, the Hurricanes want to give new and old season ticket holders the opportunity to purchase early and get the best seat possible.

Any fans who bought a playoff package last season and haven't renewed for the upcoming season this fall, are being reminded that your playoff credit is only valid until 4pm this Saturday, August 1st. After that, any seats not renewed will be released to the general public and the playoff credit will no longer be valid.

Have a great day,
Pat