The Town of Prescott is now closer to submitting a funding application for the new arena.
Council unanimously voted on Monday night to direct staff to submit an application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Community, Culture and Recreational Funding
Stream.
The grant money the town is hoping to get will be going to the building of a new arena/community centre. CAO/Treasurer Matthew Armstrong says this will be a regional facility for all of the South Grenville area.
Councillor Lee McConnell says he finds it very unfortunate that this whole thing has been rushed by the decommissioning of the old rink to the detriment of the other facilities that could have been built into this.
Mayor Brett Todd and Armstrong added that it is still keeping their options open in regards to expansion. Todd says they are not restricting themselves from adding on to that site. Todd added this has been put up on the schedule, but they are looking at a grant program that could pay 73-percent of construction.
Councillor Leanne Burton says the fundraising committee has been working really hard towards the fundraising goal. The fundraising goal for the committee is $3-million.
Also at the meeting, Trillium Health Care presented Council with a cheque for $1,000 to go towards arena fundraising.
In a Facebook post, Todd says they will meet with Minister of Infrastructure Laurie Scott on Monday to present their application in person.
The application deadline is November 12th.