Elliot Lake council reacts to latest arena setback

A big blow this week to the Elliot Lake Arena repair effort for those hoping they'd be back on the ice this hockey season.

Council postponed reopening of the Rogers Arena indefinitely and will now focus on a new target goal for the 2025-2026 season.

"It's a big of a loaded term, but I encourage everyone to consider that recommendation according to the literal translation of indefinite meaning we don't know," said project manager Bill Goulding.

Structural repairs have been ongoing since the spring but a report put in front of council tonight - the project's scope has evolved due to new findings regarding the foundation.

Among the other issues, the delay is being cause by issues in acquiring materials, electric servicing and they have to protect the site for winter.

"This has been on my mind pretty much every day for the last six months as things change and move back and forth," said Dan Tingley of Wood Research and Development.

Tingley is a wood technologist with WRD, the engineers working on the project. He made the trip from the east coast to address council himself about the delays now facing the newly named Rogers Arena.

"I know what's going on in the building," Tingley said.

"Lots of times, the public can't see what's going on in the building. All they see is four walls, but going on in the inside of the building is a lot of work."

Increased costs

Councillors expressed some concern over the lack of specific numbers on the report, which goes onto suggest additional costs.

Frustrated, they thanked Tingley for his appearance and said they're now turning their attention to the 2025-2026 season.

"We have to be realistic here," said Elliot Lake Mayor Andrew Wannan.

"This is a roadblock. It sounds like nothing will be done until the hydro is in."

"It's as the mayor said, you can't get mad," said Coun. Charlie Flintoff.

"You just deal with what you have … I'm not really angry. I'm just like ...." he said, letting out a loud sigh.

Wannan said they can't rush this process, given the structural concerns and it has to be done right. And work will have to be done to get user groups to return once the rink reopens.

"I don't think we can subsidize memberships or anything like that," he said.

"But we might need to do something to promote hockey, to get people back into playing, to promote the figure skating to get people back into playing."

Wannan said he is hopeful they could have an ice pad ready go to by mid-August.