On the left, east wall of Kin 1 as it was being demolished, on the right, the  new, east wall- photos 250news archive

Prince George, B.C. – It has been in use for nearly a month, but today the newly rebuilt Kin1 will be officially opened.

The celebration starts at 1:00 this afternoon and is scheduled to carry on until 5.

The event is open to all city residents.  It will will include a free community skate, concession, sponsor booths, and an exhibition by the BC Sports Hall of Fame.  The opening caps a number of events this week held to mark 'One Year Out' until the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

The refurbished Kin 1 will be part of the Games' legacy.  The $16.5 million dollar re-build, has produced a rink with Olympic-sized ice,  new change rooms, and lots of light.

The original Kin 1 opened back  in 1972.   In April of 2012, a ceremony saw the banners lowered from the rafters and an old timers hockey  game was played.   A small ceremony in last month saw some of the youngest skaters among the City's user groups take to this new surface to mark a new beginning.