After a tedious construction process, the Plainsmen Arena will finally reopen to ice user groups next week. Crews are putting the finishing touches on the arena and the ice will be ready for use on Monday, October 31, according to Rob McLean from the City of Airdrie.
"The first skate is scheduled for 9 am, October 31, and  they'll be ready," McLean says.  The project hit its first snag in December 2010, before construction began, when asbestos was discovered at the facility. The discovery pushed back the start of the work by about a month, and impacted the project's budget.

McLean adds, that although it took some time and compromise from everyone involved, the ice user groups and the public will benefit greatly from the changes made to the arena. He says the City still hopes to complete additional renovations, including new change rooms and an upgraded lobby.