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The Jack Burger Sports Complex will soon be expanded to include a sixth dressing room.

Port Hope council agreed Thursday night to contribute a maximum of $70,000 toward the project that parks recreation and culture director Eugene Todd says will not only be a plus for arena user groups, but will also bring economic benefits to the community.

"There are advantages for us," Mr. Todd said, pointing out that with an updated facility the municipality would be suitable as a destination for Junior A Hockey players and teams who come from all over the country to visit and live in the area for extended periods of time.

With the overall cost of the expansion project expected to cost roughly $185,000, the Port Hope Predators and other regular arena users have committed to finance the remaining sum.

Mr. Todd said the facility's needs have changed drastically over the past 10 years - girls hockey has experienced significant growth, for example - creating a strain on dressing room space. Although the complex was originally built with six dressing rooms, two were joined together to create more space for the Predators.

Most new arena construction allows for six dressing rooms per pad, as well as provisions for designated office and storage space.

Voicing his support for the project, Councillor Jeff Lees said, "I think it's a win-win with the municipality and the Jack Burger Sports Complex and all the people who use it."

The municipal contribution will be paid over a period of four years so as to not adversely impact the overall completion of other projects at the complex.

In addition, the municipality entered into a three-year agreement with the Junior A Hockey Club, to cover such issues as ice rates, game times, public relations and the financial responsibility of both parties.

The expansion is expected to begin as soon as possible, and Mr. Todd doesn't expect it will take long to complete.