The Mayor for Tache says they are in the final planning stages for construction of a community complex in Lorette.

Robert Rivard says it will cost about $12 million to build the facility, which will include a new ice surface and seating for three hundred fans, a library, 40 space daycare and gymnasium.

(Tache Mayor Robert Rivard)Rivard says they have a design plan for what they would like the facility to look like, but first, they want to get input from community groups to see how they might use the space.

According to Rivard, the existing arena will not be torn down and he says it doesn't work to tie in the new complex with the old arena. But the two will be attached, so that visitors can walk from one to the other without stepping outside. This will also allow the Zamboni to go back and forth between the two buildings.

The current building will be used as a second ice surface, while the new one will have eight dressing rooms, to serve both rinks. This will allow them to do away with the dressing rooms that are currently in the basement of the existing arena.

Prior to the provincial election, the previous government announced it would fund fifty per cent of the project, up to $8 million. Rivard says the municipality has spoken with its MLA to see if this funding commitment remains secure.

"They haven't made any decisions on any of that," says Rivard. "Working with the department employees the general staff of the province, they have told us to keep moving this project believing the funding is there because according to them the funding is there."

Rivard says if the federal government would come through with funding, they could potentially put shovel in the ground within six months. But he says worst case scenario, they are looking at beginning construction a year and a half from now. He notes it should take twelve months to build.

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