Significant improvements are underway at the arena in Vita and they should be completed by spring.

Treasurer Dorthea Gregoire says that board members noticed the structure needed some updating and got to work on finding a way to make those improvements become a reality.

“The main firewall that separates the arena from the curling rink, it’s just been worn down over time and weather,” she says. “So, that’s been our big focus.”

Gregoire says the current upgrades will cost upwards of $80,000.

They’ve been able to secure some funding locally and from the province, she adds.

“The R.M. of Stuartburn stepped in, so has Hylife. And then we got the majority of our funding for that through Building Sustainable Communities through the Province of Manitoba,” says Gregoire. “So, we’re actually able to rebuild that whole wall and address some foundation issues as well.”

It’s a really big project that got started in fall and is expected to take until spring to complete.

Gregoire says the rink has not seen a lot of use during the past couple of years due to restrictions regarding COVID-19. But prior to that, she says skating programs and hockey programs were very popular and saw a lot of growth.

Although it’s a lot of work to update the building, Gregoire says it’s worth it.

“It's one of the few things we can do in winter for our kids without going all the way to Steinbach or Grunthal or other locations,” she explains. “So, it’s really great to be able to have an affordable option local for families.”

Gregoire says they have a great volunteer board that has been putting in time and energy to give the building a good cleaning and put on a fresh coat of paint. She notes that electrical issues are also being addressed.