Image: Goderich Memorial Arena (Google Maps)
Public meetings begin this weekend about the future of Goderich’s Memorial Arena.
The arena was closed for use in January, with the Town of Goderich citing “aging infrastructure, lack of long-term investment and financial constraints in the need to address significant safety and accessibility concerns.”
Mayor Trevor Bazinet says the town will be holding “charette” meetings with the public to address the future use of the aging arena.
The charette-style meetings allow the public to speak with urban designers, architects, and planners about how proposals for the arena could be implemented.
“What do we want the future use of it to be,” says Mayor Trevor Bazinet.
“If it’s the current structure that’s standing right now, or do we go to demolition and build something new. Or… do we go to demolition and not build anything at all.”
“All options are on the table.”
A 2022 survey conducted by the town found the majority of respondents in favour of maintaining the aging building.
The second-highest suggestion was demolition, following by selling the property.
The ice surfaced was removed from the Memorial Arena in 2017, but the building has continued to be used for community events, until this January.
Mayor Bazinet says Memorial Arena could still play a role in attracting new residents to Goderich.
“Recreation doesn’t generate revenue. What it generates is people moving to your community,” Bazinet tells Bayshore Broadcasting News.
“If you’ve got a hospital, schools, nice trails… and recreation, those are some of the big things that draw newcomers to our community.”
The Memorial Arena Charette meetings run at the following times at the Comfort Inn, 135 Gibbons Street, Goderich:
- April 4th, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- April 5th, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
