PAYS PLAT FIRST NATION -- Eight years have passed since arena construction began in Pays Plat First Nation.
There is still no ice on the community's rink.
The project was originally costed at $900,000 but then ballooned into a $2-million expenditure. The First Nation has already applied $1 million and senior levels of government have committed $600,000.
Despite those commitments, the rink still doesn't have water or septic systems.
"This needs to be finished," said Pays Plat Chief Xavier Thompson said.
"A lot of people say it's an eyesore because it's not up and running, there. It's so close to completion that it's just a bad joke going on."
While Thompson is optimistic of the change in rhetoric coming from the new Liberal government in Ottawa, he can't see how Pays Plat could commit any more funds to the arena.
It's up to the federal and provincial governments, he said, to bring the project to completion.
"We want to make sure we're put on the map and that we're taken seriously because when you drive through our community, the first thing you see is that building and when you don't see it moving, that's a bad sign."
The facility in the community of 70 people was built to accommodate a full gymnasium and outdoor playground. Parents are eager to see organized sports available in their community to improve lifestyles among youth.
"Not just for my son, but for all the kids," said mother Vanessa Bouchard.
"We have multiple kids in hockey and lots of kids that want to learn to skate so they can participate in those kinds of things too."
