The new-and-improved Pitt Meadows Arena Complex will be officially shown off to the public next Saturday, Jan. 21.

The renovated complex is owned by the City of Pitt Meadows and operates within the Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge Parks and Leisure Services. It is managed by Nustadia Recreation Inc.

Primarily funded by the City of Pitt Meadows, the $8.6-million of renovations took approximately two years to complete.

Facilities operations manager Michael Millward said the difference the renovations made to the aging facility is "night and day."

"The new architectural features, from the glass walls and the windows, bleachers, the open environment, the TVs, the new colour, landscaping - it's a 100 per cent different structure," he said.

Don Cramb, senior recreation manager with Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Parks and Leisure services, said the building is far more energy efficient than it was before.

The wall and roof insulation was upgraded, Cramb explained, noting that the building's white roof reflects the heat from the sun, to keep the arena cool on warm days.

Extensive structural upgrades were completed as part of the renovations.

"It's a lot more structurally sound," Cramb added. "We found a lot of structural issues with the building and those have all been corrected."

The building remained open throughout construction to allow the public to continue using the facilities, which includes three ice rinks.

Some of the dressing rooms were made larger and all now have privacy walls.

Overall enhancements to the dressing rooms include larger showers with low-flow water shower heads, new rubber flooring, benches, lights, and plumbing fixtures.

"A complete re-build," Millward said.

The re-opening of the arena runs from 10: 30 a.m. to noon on Jan. 21. There will be a ceremony followed by light refreshments.

In the evening, there will be a free public skate from 6: 45 to 8: 15 p.m. Donations to the food bank are welcome.

tlandreville@mrtimes.com