The City of Winkler is still committed to the Meridian Exhibition Centre expansion, but are prepared to scale back to phase one.

With the Province tightening its budget, an appetite for larger recreation projects seems unlikely from the Provincial government.

Winkler Mayor Martin Harder says the response from the federal government hasn't been much better.

"There wasn't an awful lot of excitement in the federal budget for these kinds of projects either," Harder says, adding they are still hoping for the best and are exploring all funding options.

"We may also have to pull back and say we're only going to do phase one," he says. "We've left that open, we've always said if there's no funding available federally or provincially then we take a look at what's necessary for our community."

Phase one would include the addition of a multi-turf facility joined to the existing Winkler Arena that could potentially seat up to 1,500.

Phase two would add a second arena

The City of Winkler is awaiting funding for an RFP (request for proposal) for the Meridian Exhibition Centre under an older program.

"The program still exists, so we're going to submit it... and hope for the best," Harder says.

Phase two would eventually include both the centre and a second arena.

Harder has indicated they would like to see sod turned in 2017 if at all possible.

Last year, Meridian Manufacturing ownership group, WGI Westman Group Inc. purchased the naming rights for the City of Winkler' multiplex project in the amount of $1,250,000. The funds represent a third of what the City already has in reserve for the construction.

The multi-use complex could also provide space for community organizations including the growing Winkler Family Resource Centre.

"Ideally that's really what we want to do," Harder says. "It's very exciting, the community is behind this and wants to make sure it happens, and we look forward to making it happen."

The expansion would connect to the current arena to the Southwest.