Chatham-Kent has decided where its Hockeyville money is going, but bigger questions about the Chatham Memorial Arena remain.
After winning $100,000 in the 2015 Kraft Hockeyville contest, council has elected to spend the money on new accessible entrance doors, more heaters and an electronic marquee display out in front of Chatham Memorial Arena.
But the arena as a whole is still deteriorating, and Recreational Facilities Manager Scott Mailing says that $100,000 in winnings just doesn't cut it.
"Obviously everybody knows the arena has so many shortcomings," admits Mailing. "But they would cost in the millions of dollars, so $100K doesn't even put a dent in it. But we wanted to do something that could show for the group that they would be happy with."
Efforts were made, however, to ensure the Hockeyville funds didn't go to waste. All the equipment being purchased is transportable. So if the municipality decides a new arena is needed, the new technology could be put into that new facility.
But Chatham-Kent isn't quite ready to make that decision. Staff are still weighing options regarding Chatham Memorial Arena's future.
"They're meeting with local groups who could possibly use an indoor facility," adds Mailing. "They're trying to see what's out there so if they ever were to have something like that, and add an arena to it, [they know] what the community is looking for."
That "multiplex" presentation, discussing arena replacement options, will be unveiled in June.
