Doyle Fox; Regina Leader-Post (May 15, 2010)

It started out in the fall of 2007 and now -- after 2 1/2 years of planning and development, plus the expenditure of over $60 million -- The Co-operators Centre is now a reality.

Members of the federal and provincial governments joined Evraz Place representatives and Mayor Pat Fiacco at the centre on Friday morning to formally open it and unveil a dedication plaque marking the effort the three levels of government put towards the project.

"Saskatchewan used to have a reputation of being 'next year country' -- a place where every good thing seemed to be just over the horizon -- but as I look around this amazing facility today, I say that next year has arrived for this province," said Dustin Duncan, minister of tourism, parks, culture and sport.

Although Friday marked an exciting day for those involved in the project, it was evident that there had been some bumps on the road.

"The exhibition property has been here for over a century and it was allowed to run down over time and I think the biggest amount of work at the beginning was to sell the vision -- this place does not have to present the way it has in the past. We do not have to look like the Beverly Hillbillies here, we can have a prosperous-looking event facility that is welcoming and inviting for people," said Mark Allan, president and CEO of Evraz Place.

Allan said securing the necessary funds for the project took a significant effort as well.

It was not until June 2008 that the Government of Canada, Government of Saskatchewan and City of Regina agreed to each put more than $20 million into the six-rink facility.

Even with the appropriate funding, Allen said they still faced some problems.

"We were building during a time of escalating prices two years ago and to keep our project on time and on budget was a challenge as well," he said.

"We feel pretty good about what we were able to do."

The facility has been open on a limited basis since December 2009, but now with the final touches being put on, the centre is ready to take on several large events over the summer and into the fall.