Three parties are interested in relocating the mothballed Stan McCowan Arena, city council was told at its meeting Monday evening.

City planner Zoe Morrison said the Yukon Horse and Riders Association has submitted a proposal to remove the building, store it, and eventually relocate it to the Porter Creek lower bench as an indoor riding facility.

The association, she said, plans to relocate the building once the Whistle Bend urban subdivision development gets underway.

Alex Seely has proposed removing the building and relocating it to a lot in the McRae industrial subdivision as commercial storage and office space.

Deadman Creek Enterprises is looking to relocate the building to the new Mount Sima industrial area and use it for a facility to repair equipment and storage.

The arena, which opened in 1975 and was named after a solid supporter of minor hockey in the community, became unnecessary with the addition of the two ice surfaces at the Canada Games Centre.

It sits on a six-hectare parcel of land owned by the city. Three hectares will be left open, providing for the current snow dump location.

There are plans to develop the remaining three hectares with affordable housing, and a mix of multi- and single-family residential developments.

Morrison told council the three applicants will now be asked to submit more detailed plans, including how much they're willing to pay for the building.

They'll have until Dec. 20 to submit their proposals.

The results of the request for proposals will be presented to city council on Jan. 7, and the building is to be removed by April 30, regardless of who wins the bid, council was informed.

In its last full year of operations, the arena cost $369,000 to run while generating $193,175 in revenue, according to city records.

Coun. Jeanine Myhre asked what is to become of the Stan McCowan name.

There will be an outdoor rink and a recreational area in the neighbourhood, which may be candidates for adopting the McCowan legacy, Morrison suggested.

Coun. Dave Stockdale reminded council of how the park adjacent to the High Country Inn was renamed the Jim Light Park, after the former Jim Light Arena which was located on the site and torn down in the mid-1980s after the Takhini Arena opened.

It's important not to forget those who contributed so much to the development of the city, said Coun. Doug Graham.

'It was an excellent question, Jeanine,' Graham said. 'Thank you for that.'