The front exterior of the Winkler Arena complex is getting a fresh coat of paint.
    
The original metal sheeting on the 50-year-old facility was showing its age, and rust was beginning to show up in a number of places.

"It's a continuation of the work we began earlier in the year with the replacement of the canopy and the sliding glass doors.  It's all about the accessibility," said Recreation

The front exterior of the arena is being sandblasted down to the surfaceDirector Rick Denison.  He said they wanted to take that work a bit further. "The front of the building looked a bit tired.  Last year we lost one of our big pine trees, and we saw a lot of the surface rust and felt it was time for a paint job."  

With a new exhibition centre in the works and plans for a new arena, Denison says it's still important to address needs of the existing facility.  "Regardless of how soon that exhibition centre comes on stream, we're probably at least two years before any opening. "So in the interim, this building will still be our prime recreation facility," said Denison.  "And obviously we have a prime viewing from Park Street, and we want to make sure it's attractive from the street."

A number of other accessibility projects are also on tap for the arena building, which will take place over the next month. The north and south exit doors will be replaced with new doors and ramping to enable people that rely on wheelchairs or mobility aids an easier time exiting the building.  A wheelchair ramp will also be installed in the southeast corner of the building to allow viewing from the ice surface of on-ice events.  Denison said with the Accessibility Act coming on stream, they want to do everything they can to meet their obligations.

Other work will include replacing the cement pad at the entrance to the aquatic centre building to also make it more accessible.  The washrooms on the main level of the arena will also be fitted with news fixtures.  That includes new faucets, soap dispensers, and hand dryers.
    
The total cost of all the projects combined is roughly $45,000.
    
Denison said about a third of the cost will be covered by a Rick Hansen Foundation Barrier Buster Grant.