It was a bit late, but the arena dressing rooms at the Fort Forum were officially opened on Friday, October 14.
Officials were on hand to say a few words, with Councillor Brenda Gouglas giving a short speech, and both Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad and Tom Greenaway for the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District saying a few words as well.
There were free bowls of hot chili, some demonstrations from the speed skating club and minor hockey, as well as a ribbon cutting and a free public skate afterwards.
Some hopeful candidates in the upcoming local elections also came out, with Ann McCormick, a mayoral candidate, and her husband Cam enjoying some chili before the speeches.
The dressing room expansion at the arena cost $2.2 million, and was completed towards the end of last hockey season.
The costs were shared by the District of Fort St. James, the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, the provincial and federal governments.
Specifically, $1 million came from the local community forest, $120,000 from the gas tax fund via the regional district, $400,000 was contributed by the provincial government via the Towns for Tomorrow Program and $680,000 came from the federal government through the Western Economic Diversification, Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program.