From the Daily Graphic website May 2 2009

Funding for the secondary arena at the new PCU Centre overcame a major hurdle today with an announcement the federal government will contribute $1.7 million to the project from its Building Canada Fund.

The secondary arena is part of the second phase of the multiplex project, with construction of the first phase — a main arena, aquatic centre, fitness centre and community rooms — already underway at the Island Park fairgrounds.

That amount matches a previous amount committed by the province through its Building Manitoba Fund.

“I’m totally delighted. You can’t imagine how delighted all of council is.

It now gives us hope that we can finish this project the way the community wants it,” Mayor Ken Brennan said.

The city will be looking to a further debenture and drawing down its reserves, Brennan said, which it has the room to do, to pay for its portion of the project.

The Rural Municipality of Portage will not commit any further money beyond the $8 million it has already pledged to the PCU Centre.

According to city manager Dale Lyle, the city will need to formally accept the money before planning can begin. Early estimates peg the completion date of phase 2 at fall 2010.