It’s considered one of the most financially deprived municipalities in the province, according to Chairman of the Fundraising Committee for the arena Peter Newbery. He’s been working to raise money for a recreation facility in Hazelton totalling an estimated 15 million dollars.
“We have been struggling to pull together the kind of recreation facilities and opportunities that other municipalities take for granted,” says Newbery.
The old arena’s roof was dismantled after it was deemed unsafe. It’s now used as an outdoor arena.
Newbery says 5 million dollars has already been raised locally through community fundraising.
“Going on the old formula that if you raise a third of the costs locally, the province comes up with a third and the federal government comes up with a third,” says Newbery.
He hopes to see shovels in the ground for the facility by fall but is waiting for word from the province and the federal government.