The Mel Hegland Uniplex was built in 1976. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

aging rink

Grant money crucial component to Mel Hegland Uniplex replacement facility

Apr 10, 2024 | 2:12 PM

The future of the Mel Hegland Uniplex dominated Tuesday’s La Ronge regular council meeting.

A delegation of representatives from the Ice Wolves met with council after sending a letter last week, which stated they are concerned that the Uniplex no longer meets their needs to provide fans and players of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team with the best quality entertainment and skill development possible.

Ice Wolves President Grant Merriman led the delegation, asking what council has done since a 2022 feasibility study determined the Uniplex has reached the end of its lifespan and was in need of replacement. He noted the study included recommended steps that council should pursue.

“One was to meet with the user groups, key community partners and stakeholders to establish what was needed, and to meet with the Ice Wolves to determine partnership options or developing a fundraising model strategy, and have any of these steps been done yet because we haven’t been contacted,” Merriman explained.

“We’re kind of between a rock and a hard spot, so we would really like to see the town move on it because we do need some answers on it soon than later.”

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In response, La Ronge Mayor Joe Hordyski stated the main stumbling block for the project to succeed was a lack of available grant money. He said without a significant funding commitment like that, a new $30 million facility just isn’t feasible for the municipal to undertake on its own.

A concept drawing provided in 2022 of a new potential replacement facility. (Town of La Ronge)

“Sometimes we try to get community partners to look at the feasibility or the preliminary design and we get no feedback,” Hordyski said.

“We have been struggling to trying to get operating dollars, never mind capital dollars. These are challenges for us, so that has kind of held us back in terms of moving forward. I am open to sit down and … see how we can work together and maybe move it along.”

All council members in attendance were supportive of building a new rink in La Ronge and are aware the Uniplex no longer meets standards. La Ronge chief administrative officer Lyle Hannan said there were two main points that need to be resolved moving forward.

“The major grant needs to come out that we apply for because we basically have a concept drawing, we have a ballpark budget, we have the backup we need to apply for that grant, we are ready to go,” he said.

“The issues that need to be resolved are one, what exactly is going in the facility. Is there a curling rink in this facility or not? Council still has to make that decision. Is there a flex-hall in this facility or not because that changes the budget, it changes what you’re applying for a grant. If you want all of those things, you need to apply for the right amount of money.”

There was also talk at the table in regards to organizing a fundraising committee with community partners. Hannan noted taking the big picture into account, funds raised by the committee would only be “a drop in the bucket” when compared to the necessity of a grant, as well as municipal funding.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com