Loring Arena Project Officially on Hold

FRAMINGHAM, MA - The Loring Arena Legacy Foundation officially announced Wednesday that plans to renovate the arena were on hold until further notice.

Bids for the renovation of Loring Arena had originally been estimated at $5.5 million but came in higher than expected. Town Meeting voted last April to divvy up $5.66 million for the project, Wicked Local reported.

Reported lowest bidder G.V.W. Inc. asked for $6.23 million to complete the renovations, according to Wicked Local.

"To date, we have no idea how the town is going to resolve this issue and move forward," Foundation President Ernie Moreau wrote in the social media announcement.

Moreau said the foundation will wait on directions from the town before planning any fundraising

"Our opinion is the Town should scale back the scope of work and re-bid the project. As I have stated before, 'there simply has to be a way to get this done,'" Moreau wrote.

The renovations would: make the arena handicap accessible; improve the size of the locker rooms, concession stand and skate shop; and add a new meeting room and climate-controlled second floor open area overlooking the ice.

• See the architectural plans for the arena>>>>

"Please let your feelings about this project known, to those who are charged with making the important decisions for Loring Arena," Moreau wrote.

Photo via Google Street View