An open house hosted by the Municipality of Rhineland was held Thursday in Plum Coulee.  It was to showcase plans for the Plum Coulee Community Hall, main floor lobby, and arena dressing rooms.  The facility was severely damaged by fire in May, 2016.
    
Reeve Don Wiebe says the point of the open house was to show the community the work that's been going on over the last six months, which has been done along with some community consultation.

In respect to the community hall, Wiebe says they will stay within the original footprint, however the space will be re-configured, which he feels will be a big improvement. He explained the kitchen will be moved, and the staircase will be changed.  "We're creating a better space in the hall, with the insurance money that we're given," said Wiebe.  "We can do something with the acoustics, and certainly the heating. It will all be new and better suited for hall functions."  

Wiebe said the work will also mean some things will be updated to code.

The arena dressing rooms are small, and the municipality was hoping for a $50,000 Canada 150 Grant to make them larger.  Bit without the support of that grant, they decided to stay with the original size.  Wiebe said in consultation with people that use the dressing rooms, they worked out a configuration that most people agreed with.  "We'll have four dressing rooms, plus a small female dressing room," noted Wiebe.

Wiebe adds work will stay in line with what insurance is covering, however, he says they may receive about $300,000 through an estate.  He says that will allow some extras to take place in the arena.

Wiebe added they hope to start soon on construction, and will push hard to get ice into the arena for this next fall.