A new recreation centre, including a 1,600-seat arena, is slated for completion in Quesnel in September of 2014.
The facility, currently known as the North Cariboo Multi-Centre, will also feature a 450-seat theatre and event/assembly space and has an estimated price tag of $30 million. The provincial government has committed $4 million to the project, while other money will come from the Cariboo Regional District/City of Quesnel ($15 million) and the Northern Development Initiative Trust ($2 million). The remaining $9 million will be raised by the CRD and the City.
Quesnel's junior A hockey team, the Millionaires, relocated to Chilliwack last spring because of financial difficulties linked to on-ice struggles and the aging Quesnel Twin Arenas. The rink's seating capacity is 1,100 and the Mills were drawing an average of just 638 fans per game.
The Millionaires lost $300,000 in their last two seasons in Quesnel and that left the private owners no other alternative but to sell to a Chilliwack group.
In October of 2008, Quesnel voters passed a referendum by a 53 per cent majority to borrow up to $15 million to build a new 2,000-seat arena and 450-seat performing arts centre, contingent on receiving $15 million in combined federal and provincial government funding. That funding failed to materialize.
