The Sarnia Sting Hockey Club wants to elevate the fan experience at Progressive Auto Sales Arena (PASA), in terms of food and beverage services, by completing $1.7 million in planned upgrades.
Vice President of Business Operations Jake Bourrie said much of the equipment is over 25 years old and was inherited in 2015, when the City of Sarnia took ownership of the arena.
"It's reached its end of life. We're at a critical (juncture) here where we need to make some decisions," he said.
The lower lobby concession stand (Concession #1) has been inoperable for five years due to failing equipment, and the current restaurant and kitchen have been deemed inefficient.
Bourrie said the restaurant has not seen a major upgrade since 1998.
"If these items are not addressed, we're going to face a significant crisis. We are at that point where there's been a lot of band aids," he said. "Some immediate investments are required."
The replacement cost for the equipment alone is valued at nearly $730,000.
Ultimately, the goal is to replace all end-of-life equipment, redesign the kitchen with modern equipment for dine-in or take-out, renovate the restaurant, and reopen Concession #1.
By upgrading the arena, Sting President and Co-Owner Mark Guy said the hope is to soon submit a successful bid to host a Memorial Cup Championship.
"We also want to do our part to improve the parts of the facility that we can to make it more user-friendly for the community," Guy said. "It's obviously used not just by us, it's used as a community-based arena, and we want to do our part to make sure the other groups that use the facility have the best facility possible."
Guy said he would like to have plans in place for city approval soon, and "to move on this" in the summer of 2026.
Sarnia City Council recently endorsed a renewal model in principle during the October 20 meeting, as the current food and beverage agreement is set to expire in April 2026.
Under a Sting-led model, the hockey club - in partnership with Compass Group - would assume full capital and operational responsibility of the food and beverage program, subject to final legal and administrative review. The Sting would also retain 100 per cent of food and beverage commissions.
The city would be relieved of capital and maintenance obligations but would retain input/approval on major renovations.
