The Town of Okotoks is inviting residents to join them for the official grand opening of Pason Centennial Arena's new expansion this weekend.

The expansion features an NHL sized rink, leisure ice with projector screen and fire place, Okotoks Minor Hockey's office, and multipurpose rooms available for bookings.

Doug Robson, recreation facilities manager, says the expansion means more opportunities for the Town and convenience for visitors.

"We'll be able to book larger tournaments and special events, so we can have special events here we weren't able to before simultaneously with tournaments. We also have a connection over to Foothills Centennial Centre so people can flow easily back and forth from FCC through the Gold Arena into the Green Arena if they need to."

Flags going up over the NHL sized rink in the new Gold Arena on Wednesday.

Robson adds there's just a few final touches left to go.

"We're hanging the flags up on the NHL ice surface, we're getting some advertising up that minor hockey has sold, the hockey stick wall is getting installed by Spy Design and we're looking forward to selling sticks or plaques to people, and other than that it's just getting ready for staffing."

The grand opening ceremony takes place Saturday from 1:15- 3:30 p.m. and will include a group photo with residents in the stands of the new Gold Arena with a cake cutting afterwards.

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