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Plan could see Neebing Arena reinvented

Once opposed to a consultant recommendation to close the Neebing area, ward Coun. Linda Rydholm is now seeing the issue from a different perspective.

THUNDER BAY – Neebing Coun. Linda Rydholm initially opposed a consultant recommendation stating her ward’s arena be closed as part of the city’s recreation master plan’s first draft.

She changed her mind when she was assured the building would be reinvented to suit the city's future recreational needs. 

“Without asking my residents yet, my thoughts are that people would be very happy if the facility continues to be used in some way going into the future,” Rydholm said.

“The facility could be repurposed for some other sport or activity, people would be happy to see that.”

Sierra Planning and Management will present a draft of their plan to city council on Nov. 14. 

Rydholm will hold a ward meeting on Nov. 17 to discuss one of the 10 to 15-year plan’s central ideas: to double ice pads at some local arenas while closing others.

The first arena identified to convert from a hockey rink to some other form of recreation is the Neebing Arena. It also assumes the city will build an event centre

Rydholm added the ice twinning aspect of the consultant’s plan requires a level of financial investment that might be beyond the city’s ability to commit.

“The bottom line is money. We don’t have much money,” she said.

“I don’t’ know if we’ll be able to find money to build rink surfaces in other areas, to consolidate the rink surfaces. So, we’ll see.”

The city is accepting online citizen comments on the proposed plan here





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