The Starbuck Arena's one step closer to some much needed improvements. Those at the rink have been calling on the RM of Macdonald to help fund the replacement of the ice plant, funding the work by implementing a local improvement zone, to levy taxes for the project. A public hearing on the matter was held earlier this week, and Reeve Brad Erb says there was no shortage of interest in that meeting.

"We had a good number of people, about 15 to 20 there in support of it. There were a couple of citizens there with concerns, and they asked a few questions. We had a healthy debate about it, and at the end of the day council gave it first reading, and we'll carry on with the process."

It's not the first time the public had the chance to speak about the ice plant's replacement, with an informal public session take place in February to gauge public support. Erb says he wasn't surprised by the turnout at this week's meeting, or the outcome, given the amount of citizen involvement throughout the process.

"From our perspective at council it was good. We had a sense the community was fairly engaged prior to the hearing, and they were rather supportive. We weren't surprised by the outcome of it, or how many people were there in support. It just kind of reaffirmed what we've been thinking all along."

Council's capped the local debenture at $300,000, but Erb says that may be reduced if additional funding comes in, or the cost to replace the ice plant is lower than expected. While that will cover a significant portion of the estimated $500,000 it'll take to replace the equipment, those at the facility have also been doing fundraising. While they've been hosting events, a GoFundMe page has also been set up to support the work, and it's raised almost $70,000 so far.