A rendering of the first component of the project which is nearing completion — the aquatic and arenas recreation centre. (submitted photo/City of PA)

By Glynn Brothen

$45 million requested

Mayor encourages letter campaign as cultural event centre funding efforts continue

Aug 20, 2024 | 4:37 PM

Prince Albert’s mayor is asking the public to engage in a letter-writing campaign as the city continues to lobby the federal government to fund a portion of the proposed convention and cultural event centre.

The proposed centre would be located adjacent to the nearly completed aquatic and arenas recreation centre located in the Yard District of Prince Albert. It would house the P.A. Raiders hockey team and be capable of hosting other sporting events as well as trade shows and concerts.

Mayor Greg Dionne is requesting members of Prince Albert and neighbouring communities to write a detailed letter outlining benefits the proposed centre could bring to the area. The letter would in turn be passed along to various ministers in the federal government.

“We have embarked on that because then that will show the support of the community for this project,” he said.

Dionne noted the land has been purchased, serviced and ‘ready to go.’ The letter initiative is the latest suggestion from the lobbyist contracted by the city to aid funding efforts. Dionne said the lobbying endeavor included trips to Ottawa along with various meetings with ministers and stakeholders.

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This is the second proposal for the centre after the initial project submission which encompassed the pool, the arenas and the cultural centre. That proposal was denied federal funding, in part because Ottawa did not want to contribute funds to a WHL team. Dionne said prior to this latest request for funding, many in the capital were not aware the Raiders are community-owned.

“They didn’t realize at the time when we [first] applied that we were a community owned team because most teams are owned by what they call ‘professional businessmen’ and so they didn’t want to donate to a [private] project,” Dionne said.

The project received partial financial backing once it was split into two components. The federal price tag for the centre would be $45 million.

Dionne added they are preparing for another trip to Ottawa soon.

To write a letter in support, you can visit the city’s website for mailing addresses and template suggestions.

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glynn.brothen@pattisonmedia.com