The Wainfleet Arena is in the middle of its first major renovation since it opened in 1973.

And 35 years later, efficiency is the name of the game.

"This is a real green thing cause it's going to save all sorts of money," said Greg Wuisman, director of operations.

He explained that when the arena was originally built in the '70s, saving energy was not a priority. It was cheaper at the time to spend the money on electricity than pay the extra costs of insulating the building.

However, Wuisman said, insulating the ceiling and south-side wall of the arena will prevent the cold air from escaping and he anticipates it will reduce the energy bills by as much as 20 per cent for the next 20-25 years.

"You want to keep the cold air in," he said, but the ceiling and south-side wall are easy targets for the sun.

He said with the sun exposure the back wall is actually "warm to the touch."

The work is actually being done in-house, by the arena staff, which saves the taxpayers money, Wuisman said.

The renovations have been going on for about a month, but the work should be completed by Labour Day weekend, in time for the Marshville Heritage Festival.

Originally the project was approved for $60,000, but at a May 27 council meeting, another $25,000 was approved.

The roof trusses were sandblasted, to remove old paint and rust, and were re-painted along with the perpendicular-running perlins, between which the arena employees slot two layers of insulation and a reflective lining, something Wuisman said acts as a vapor barrier.

At the same time, he said, the reflective sliver lining will act to light up the arena.

Wuisman said for the population of Wainfleet, 6,500, it is fortunate that they have an arena at all, and he said his next goal is to open the arena in the summer months as well.