(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Troy Gillard

Moving ahead this year

City approves $3M for Centrium upgrades

Mar 4, 2020 | 8:59 AM

Work on modernization of the Westerner Park Centrium will be moving ahead soon now that Red Deer city council fast-tracked funding for the project.

Council previously approved $3 million over three years for upgrades to the facility before voting Monday to spend the full amount in 2020.

Centrium modernization plans include upgrades to dressing rooms, washrooms, scoreboard and video equipment.

The plan is to have the work completed prior to the start of the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championships on Dec. 26, though the work could spill over into next year. The City of Red Deer will oversee management of the project.

The last expansion to the Centrium in 2012 saw the addition of 14 luxury boxes and 1,000 general seats at a total cost of $3.5 million.

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Meantime, the city continues to negotiate with Red Deer County on its financial contribution to Westerner Park and Red Deer Regional Airport. They also are working with Westerner Park to help secure a new naming rights sponsor for the Centrium and on getting provincial and federal government support for the modernization project.

The City of Red Deer took over financial management of Westerner Park earlier this year in light of cash-flow problems the organization is experiencing.