The Pioneer Arena in Castlegar lives to see another day.
The three regional directors who represent the Castlegar and District Recreation Commission voted Thursday to approve using $120,000 in reserve funds to buy a new 90-ton ice chiller for the arena.
Had they not done the facility would shut down with immediate effect.
The approval comes despite a previous Rec Commission recommendation not to spend more money on the old pioneer who’s days appear numbered.
But the assumption is this new chiller can be relocated to the Castlegar Complex should a second ice surface be added there in future – or even as a future replacement for the existing one at the Complex.