COEUR d'ALENE - After two years of red tape, Kootenai Youth Recreation Organization got its financial support.

"It feels wonderful," said Matt Beam, KYRO manager, on securing up to $230,000 from Lake City Development Corp., the city's urban renewal board, on Wednesday. "It'll be easier to build momentum as we move forward with the project."

The money will go to around 30 public parking spaces, a trail head for people accessing the nearby Centennial Trail, and site upgrades required in public right of way.

KYRO is rebuilding its ice arena after its roof collapsed in the winter of 2008.

The $2.8 million, 34,000-square-foot facility is going up near the old site off Seltice Road between Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls. It designed the new rink larger than the $2 million insurance settlement to expand on public use, as well as to attract sporting tournaments to the area.

"We're lacking ice sheets in this region and this would be a tremendous boost," said Eric Sawyer, president of the Spokane Regional Sports Commission that utilizes sports venues to create economic boosts.

The SRSC is now partnering with KYRO to recruit ice sport venues into the region, he said.

KYRO has secured about $100,000 in donations other than LCDC's support. Beam said he hopes LCDC's pledge spurs more.

The goal is to open by August. Without the public funds KYRO could have had to push back opening its doors, while Charlie Miller, Centennial Trail Foundation director, said that the trail head and parking spaces are an ideal, strategic location for an access point.

After the rink's roof collapsed KYRO approached LCDC in 2009. Discussion on how much public benefit could be obtained from the agency's aid, coupled with a delay caused by de-annexing a portion of land discovered still inside city limits, pushed the decision until Wednesday.

• The board also agreed to contract JUB Engineers Inc. for $352,500 for construction administration for the education corridor infrastructure project. That project is set to go out to bid soon, estimated at $5 million for the first phase.