There have been a number of renovations at Ponoka's Culture and Recreation Complex over the last two years.

In total, $253,000 worth of upgrades, funded by grants, including the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.

They include:

  • LED lights
  • New insulation and metal cladding
  • New arena netting
  • Two new dehumidifiers
  • Water and sewer line replacement, parking lot repaving

Money, that community services director Wes Amendt says, didn't have to come from the taxpayer.

“The town has certain amount of grant monies available. Keeping up with upgrades to the facilities just to extend the life and usefulness of them, is very important,” Amendt says.

He adds the retrofits have resulted in “significant savings” on the town’s energy bills

The community held a late Canada 150 celebration on Sunday, with a community skate and some shinny.

Ponoka’s own Harry York, a former NHL player, was scheduled to appear but had to cancel.