City council will be left debating next month over whether to give more money to a new arena at the University of Saskatchewan.
The City of Saskatoon has already earmarked $1 million toward construction of the new rink, dubbed Merlis Belsher Place, but the project’s fundraising committee is asking council for another $3 million.
A city report released Monday shows the city would need to spend $6 million to $8 million to add a sheet of ice to one of the existing Saskatoon rinks — a cost higher than initial estimates.
Council will be tasked with deciding, at the end of February, if donating to the university project is the best way to improve the city’s ice-time shortages.
Merlis Belsher Place, a $41-million twin-ice facility, is set to replace the 90-year-old Rutherford Rink on campus.
A timeline for the arena’s construction and opening date has yet to be determined.
