Paynesville Township was among those receiving a new grant in the amount of $150,000. Earlier this year they received a $100,000 grant, for a total of $250,000, the maximum they can receive. “This is the amount we originally asked for and are happy with the second grant round,” Otto Naujokas, of the Paynesville-New London Youth Hockey Association, said. The funds are being used to add an additional 30 feet onto the width of the building. This space includes new locker rooms, spectator seating area, bathrooms, and warm-up area.
“We still need additional funding as our goal is to install refrigeration next year and have it ready for use in the fall,” Naujokas said. “The weather has not been cooperating this winter. We have not been able to get a good base built up for ice skating,” he added.
Even though Paynesville has an ice arena, the grants board considers them new construction because the arena does not have a refrigeration unit to make artificial ice, explained Naujokas.