Wasilla to get new sports complex

Mat-Su Valley hockey players and figure skaters can finally take heart - Wasilla is getting a new ice arena. Mayor Dianne Keller hosted a groundbreaking ceremony May 2 to kick off construction of a multi-use

sports complex.

While the new sports complex helps fill Wasilla's need for a community

"It's grueling to play hockey around here," said Don Moore, project manager for the City of Wasilla. "They get up at four in the morning to practice and don't even get enough practice time. You might get ice time for the game but finding ice to practice is pretty hard."

According to Moore, there is only one indoor arena in the area. The new complex will help relieve some of the pressure on the existing facility.

The drive for another arena began nearly five years ago when citizens submitted a nomination application to have construction of a sports facility put on the city's capital improvement plan. The proposal eventually made its way to the ballot and Wasilla voters approved the $14.7 million bond to finance the project in March last year.