Renovations to the Wiarton Community Centre are set to begin next week — but it will be a lot different than originally planned.
South Bruce Peninsula Council has approved the hiring Bye Construction to take care of the renovations.
Public Works Manager Phil Dwyer notes the Mount Forest firm submitted the only bid for project — and it came in over budget by 5 million dollars.
So Council has made several cut to the project to bring the budget back to 1.9 million.
The cutbacks include reducing the size of the south side addition area.
That means cutting out one new dressing room and two multi-purpose rooms, as well as 40 thousand dollars in new kitchen equipment and the new sprinkler system being installed will not cover the ice surface.
But Dwyer says once the renovations are complete the arena will be fully accessible.
He notes all of the washrooms are being redone, a new ice surface is being installed and the kitchen and bar will be enlarged.
Dwyer says the arena has been a real challenge and they are very fortunate to begin work immediately and within budget.
Dwyer still feels the town will be left with a very good product.
Dwyer hopes the arena will be finished by mid September and ready for the hockey season in November.
The cost of the project is being covered with two thirds funding from the provincial and federal governments.
