Town of Humboldt moves forward with new multi-million dollar tribute center for 2018 Broncos team – Saskatoon

The city of Humboldt is moving forward with a new multi-million dollar memorial for those who died in the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash.

The city voted in early May to send a request to the provincial and federal governments in hopes they would cover about 73% of the cost ($25 million).

The center would be built as an extension of the current hockey rink, the Elgar Petersen Arena, where the SJHL Broncos currently play.

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It would honor the 16 players who died and 13 injured in the 2018 crash, with memorabilia and memorabilia from the team on permanent display.

There are also plans for a second ice surface and for community use.

The council estimates the cost at around $35 million.

Funding would come from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICI).

“We are very optimistic about the positive reception of our application for ICIP funding, and the submission of this application marks an important milestone on the road to the start of construction. There is, however, a lot of activity that still needs to happen over the next few months,” said City Manager Joe Day.

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Some of the steps will involve the city reaching out to existing users and potential new users to learn more about their needs and aspirations for the new facility, refining the concept plan for the facility, discussing operating and financing agreements with partners and formalize funding pledges. .

“Clearly our existing arena is failing to meet the ice time requirements for current users, which is a problem that will only get worse for our growing community if we don’t add another surface. of ice,” Mayor Michael Behiel said. .

“The proposed facility not only addresses this concern, but also develops spaces so that Humboldt can meet the demand for a wide range of events well suited to our centralized location in the province.”

City of Humboldt Recreation and Community Services Director Michael Ulriksen says it will be a way to inspire athletes and a place to remember those who have died or whose lives have been changed forever.

“It’s also something that goes far beyond our community. It was evident after the crash, the story, the tragedy, it got on the nerves of people across the country and the world,” Ulriksen said.

Toby Boulet, whose son Logan died in the crash, says if it’s a way for the town of Humboldt to move forward and remember those affected and lost, he would visit the new tribute center as much as possible and would be there for the tape cutter.

“If they want to take the time to create a tribute center for my son and his teammates and create a memorial crash site, we need to be there to support the town of Humboldt,” Boulet said from his home in Lethbridge, Alberta. at Global News.

Ulriksen says it will likely take three to four months to see funding approval and says if all goes according to plan, the city expects shovels to be in the ground by spring 2026 for the center of homage.