The Nation Municipality is planning to raise half a million dollars for renovations at the St-Isidore Arena.
On Thursday, March 7, Mayor Francis Brière announced the start of a $500,000 fundraising campaign aimed at renovating the rink surface, boards, and glass.
“The St-Isidore Arena holds a special place in our community—it’s where dreams take flight on the ice, and where lifelong bonds are forged. But as with any cherished structure, it requires our care and attention to remain a vibrant hub for our community. That’s why we’re calling on local businesses, families, service clubs, foundations, sports leagues, schools, and others to join us in contributing to this campaign,” Brière said.
The arena requires the following modifications before 2026:
- A new cement floor and brine tubing refrigeration system will extend the arena life for another 35 – 45 years.
- Existing solid wood boards are not as safe as the new technology since they don’t absorb as much impact when players are checked into them. Replacing them with aluminum boards provides some flexibility thereby lowering the risk of injury for all users.
- Similarly installing acrylic glass also affords more impact absorption for players. The acrylic glass is also easier and safer for employees to install versus large sheets of tempered glass.
The total cost of the project is approximately $1.4 million. The municipality aims to cover a significant portion of the costs through a combination of reserves set aside for the project, grants, a fundraising campaign, and sponsorships. The project’s anticipated start date is March 2025 with the aim of completing renovations in time for the 2025-2026 hockey season.
To all interested in participating in the fundraiser, visit the municipality’s website at www.nationmun.ca/en/the-nation-on-ice for more information.
