Quesnel, B.C. – The “West Fraser Centre” is the new name of the North Cariboo Arena Project.

It was announced this morning by the Cariboo Regional District, the City of Quesnel and West Fraser.

The naming is no surprise considering West Fraser has committed $1 million to the arena project – a $500,000 contribution and an additional $500,000 of matching monies to encourage community donations.

“They’re the only one’s that stepped up to the plate and West Fraser over the years has been a tremendous corporate sponsor for the City of Quesnel and our community so we really applaud them and we thank them,” says Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom.

As for the status of the project, Sjostrom says the plan is to have shovels in the ground by next spring and for the arena to open by the fall of 2016.

The project received its public blessing when a large majority of residents voted to allow the City to borrow up to $7.5 million over twenty years to build the 1,600-seat facility in June.

She says the remaining money for the $17.5 million project will come from the approximately $10 million they’ve received in grants, pre-taxation and other monies that have been raised.

Sjostrom says a celebration to recognize the naming of the West Fraser Centre is scheduled for October 24.