Ice to return to Elliot Lake arena next month, after three-year $26.6 million renovation

Elliot Lake city council found out Monday night that there should be ice in their arena next month, for the first time in three years.

Ice to return to Elliot Lake arena next month, after three-year $26.6 million renovation Small northern Ontario city's only arena has been closed for three years Elliot Lake city council found out Monday night that ice could return to the city's arena next month for the first time in three years. The Centennial Arena— which will be renamed Rogers Arena— shut down suddenly in September 2023 after concerns the roof could collapse Renovations have been underway since then, while minor hockey players, figure skaters and others have travelled to neighbouring northern Ontario towns, including Massey and Espanola, for ice time.

Council also heard Monday that the final cost of the renovations is expected to be $26.6 million. Architect Chris Perry told council the arena's ice plant is scheduled to be turned on Aug. 2, with ice expected to take about two weeks to form. Elliot Lake arena to be closed for another year, not expected to open until winter 2026 'Whether it's a mistake, time will tell,' Elliot Lake mayor reassures community on arena project Perry also offered a target date for when the local Elliot Lake Vikings junior hockey team— which sat out the last several seasons— can start up its training camp.

"Our team is targeting August 25th Vikings on the ice. The entire facility will not be complete and it will be a partial occupancy that's being monitored daily and weekly on our weekly meetings with my team," Perry said. "But there's nothing that we see right now to prevent us from achieving that goal.

'We're crossing our fingers': Elliot Lake hockey players, skaters prepare for another winter without home ice Philanthropist Suzanne Rogers explains why she's giving back to Elliot Lake, Ont., with a $3M donation Members of Elliot Lake city council who recently toured the construction site said they were impressed with the progress. "I was just blown away.

It's going to be a totally, totally new building," said Coun. Rick Bull, who worked at the arena in the 1980s. "Everybody should be proud of the work they're doing."

"I was very impressed. Very different than what everybody will remember was inside," said Mayor Andrew Wannan. "Still a lot of work to be done.

You have six weeks. But in the last six weeks, it's tremendous how much has happened." with files from Brendan Connor