The arena in the Hay River Community Centre is now proclaiming its official name.
That name – Aurora Ford Arena – is prominently featured in the lobby of the facility, right above a viewing area where people can watch the action on the ice through glass.
The design is getting rave reviews from both the Town of Hay River and Aurora Ford.
"I really like it," said Lee Cawson, vice-president of the Aurora Group. "I am really proud to have our name on such a great facility for this town, and for the people of Hay River and the entire South Slave region, actually."
Cawson said the sign looks great in the chosen location.
Mayor Kandis Jameson is also pleased with the addition of the sign to the arena.
"It finishes the building. It really does," she said. "It just really brings it all together, and I love it."
The Hay River Community Centre – the former Hay River Recreation Centre and, before it was rebuilt, the Don Stewart Recreation Centre – and some of its main interior areas were given new names in February of last year.
Back then, town council unanimously approved naming the Rec Centre the Hay River Community Centre for an indefinite term.
Inside the building, council approved the names Aurora Ford Arena for a 20-year term, the Hay River Curling Club for a 10-year term, and the Don Stewart Aquatic Centre for the life of the building.
The name Aurora Ford Arena recognizes the significant financial support from its parent company when the Rec Centre was being rebuilt.
In 2015, Go Auto, the owner of Aurora Ford, announced a $1-million donation – $100,000 a year over 10 years – to support construction of the now Hay River Community Centre, which was opened in 2018.