After three long years, the approximately $26.6-million repair and renovation of Elliot Lake’s arena is nearly complete and the community’s NOJHL team hit the ice Friday night for a long-awaited home game. The Elliot Lake Vikings were finally able to play a home game, facing off against the Espanola Paper Kings for the newly renovated arena’s first hockey match since it closed. “It’s been a pretty long haul,” said Vikings head coach and GM Taurean White before Friday’s game. “Projects were going on for quite some time, so I know people are excited to finally have hockey back in Elliot Lake. It should be a busy building tonight. Lots of good energy, and hopefully we can deliver and play well.” While work is still being completed in the area, officials with the City of Elliot Lake said 600 fans could attend the arena’s soft launch Sept. 25. “This is a big, monumental moment for our town and a big, big victory for everybody,” said Kari Kluke of the City of Elliot Lake. “It’s been a long three years and I think everyone’s just excited to get back into the doors.” City official Ian Gauld said some minor construction still needs to bel completed. “The front end of the building, the canteen, we’ve got to finish it,” Gauld said. “The deep fryer. Most of the items are installed. It’s just it’s a continuation of the process. So we’re 98 per cent done here.” The new roof and boards aren’t the only changes -- the arena is now sporting a new name. “We were Centennial Arena and now, with the generous donation from the Rogers Family and Foundation, we are now Rogers Arena,” Kluke said. Gauld said having the arena back in full operation is important for residents. “It’s the hub of any community,” he said. “Everybody just wants to get back home in the arena. They want to see the Vikings. And the roof’s going to be blown off tonight with the amount of excitement.” In addition to Friday’s soft launch, the Vikings are holding a meet-and-greet Saturday to celebrate their return home.
