LEWISTON – Mayor Larry Gilbert, while leading efforts to privatize the Colisee, took over as chairman of the ice arena’s board of directors last month.

The city announced Tuesday that Gilbert was elected chairman of the Lewiston Urban Civic Center Enterprise Board of Directors at the panel’s April 27 meeting. The board is responsible for general operations at the facility.

Gilbert replaces City Councilor Norm Rousseau, who stepped down in March to make room for Gilbert and his efforts to privatize the facility. Rousseau has led the Colisee since it formed in 2004.

The city assumed ownership of the former Central Maine Civic Center in February 2004, agreeing to take on $4.2 million in debt and management of the center. That includes day-to-day operations and repairs.

Since then, Colisee directors oversaw $3.2 million in building and equipment upgrades. That included a $2 million facade and building addition and interior work in 2005, a new ice resurfacer, a portable stage, an improved compressor, boiler repairs and bathroom upgrades in 2006. The city owes $5.7 million for the Colisee and its improvements.

Councilors last week voted to seek bids from private investors to purchase the ice arena. The city will take bids for the arena until June 29.