Plan for La Broquerie Arena once completed

The Rural Municipality of La Broquerie was recently ranked number one in fiscal sustainability and now wants to continue their reputation of being financially responsible when it comes to the upcoming arena project.

Reeve Claude Lussier explains the current arena was built in 1978. Then a year and a half ago council felt it was time for an update along with an expansion. He says the project was estimated at $2-million, understanding that in any building project there can be a 10-12% variance. After recently hiring the construction company, Penn-Co they received the plans with final numbers and project plans. The cost of the project after over a year had risen to $3-million dollars. Lussier adds, council was stunned at the increase in construction cost. 

“Council is saying 'yes we agree unanimously that the arena is a good project, where do we get the extra million dollars?' We could probably empty the bottom of our drawers here at the RM to help out, but we want to go to the public to see if they're willing to help us on this project.”

Lussier explains the RM would be able to start the project right away, but with other priorities such as the lagoon, they don't want to dig themselves a financial hole which would shadow their goal of continuing to be financially responsible. He notes the lagoon is ear-marked at $6-8 million dollars. The RM will be receiving Federal and Provincial funding through the Canada Building Fund but adds there is the uncontrollable variable of extra cost since lagoon construction is very costly.

La Broquerie has been known as a hockey town, Lussier says the new arena will be more of a recreational facility with a recreational facility manager. It will encompass other forms of sports and entertainment creating a more community-minded facility. He notes it won't be just hockey, it may include soccer or summer schools for baseball.

The fundraising campaign will be taking place during the next year where the RM is asking for the public's assistance in funding the project.  The RM will match the total amount of funds raised. Lussier adds, he hopes it won't take the full year and they'll be able to break ground later this fall.

Lussier notes more than having the arena project started sooner rather than later with fundraising help, another benefit to the public is because the RM is taking care of the fundraising directly, anyone who contributes is able to use it during income tax as a tax receipt.