Leaside is one step closer to getting that second rink it's been raising money for since 2010.
Councillor
John Parker, who's taken this project under his wing, says the budget and executive committees have approved the $7.5-million loan the project needed from the city. When added to the $1.5 million from Infrastructure Ontario and $1 million from an anonymous private donor, all that's needed for the expansion is a couple more hundred thousand dollars in local fundraising, which is already just short of its $1.5-million goal.
"No construction starts until we've got that," Parker says, though he's confident the community fundraising will get a big push from this approval, which is still waiting for a final okay from the full council. He hopes the new rink will be ready for the beginning of skating season in 2013.
Leaside Gardens Arena's current rink is usually booked to capacity.
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: John Parker
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