Council presented with future use recommendations for Memorial Arena

Closed in 2018 due to the arena’s aging ammonia-based refrigeration system, the facility did remain open for floor-based sports such as ball hockey and shuffleboard.

Unfortunately, the Goderich Memorial Arena was closed in January 2025 due to aging infrastructure, limited use and a lack of a plan for long-term investment.

With the arena no longer in operation, the Town of Goderich has been exploring how the site can best serve the community needs.

Recently, a recommendation was made by the Memorial Arena Task Force based on a study completed by GSP Group Inc.

The recommendation requests Goderich Council to proceed with a plan that would allow for the Memorial Arena to open again.

“Across all formats, participants emphasized how important the Memorial Arena is, not just as a building, but as a space rooted in the community’s memory,” said Steve Wever, President and Planner Project Advisor of GSP Group.

“There were some different perspectives…the overall trend was leaning towards repurposing the existing facility rather than starting from scratch.”

The purpose of the study completed by GSP Group was to develop a comprehensive plan that evaluated the future use of the former Goderich Memorial Arena site.

With the arena no longer in operation, the study aimed to determine the most appropriate and sustainable direction for the site responding to community needs.

The study explored a range of redevelopment options for the site:

Option A – do nothing and sell the property.

Option B – demolish and prepare the site for new use.

Option C – repurpose and improve the existing facility for future use.

The recommended direction is to retain and repurpose the existing arena structure through a phased investment strategy (Option C).

According to GSP Group, this option would reopen the arena quickly with minimal investment to support short-term rentals, programming or interim use.

Renovations would be needed for code compliance, interior reconfiguration, façade improvements, second-floor improvements and rooftop patio activation.

Renovations to the main floor would include the expanded sport capacity and installation of a retractable divider curtain. In total, these renovations, which can be done in phases, would cost upwards of more than $10 million.

“We see a lot of potential in the building,” admitted Wever.

“We support the Task Force recommendation, which is the basic Phase 1 reopening to start. Hopefully that will establish the basis for pursing additional improvements, subject to establishing a funding plan.”

Repurposing the arena provides an opportunity to fill gaps in recreation or youth programming, while being a cost-effective reuse of a municipally owned asset in a walkable location.

Rather than pursing full-scale redevelopment or demolition, Option C proposes a phased investment model that enables the Town to reintroduce public use of the facility.

“I do agree with the phase-in approach if anything is going to happen,” said Mayor Trevor Bazinet at the June 9 Council meeting.

“We want to be able to fundraise for this project, and now it’s up to us to have those conversations and make those decisions. There are still a lot of deep conversations to have here.”

According to the report, one of the looming questions revolving around the future of the arena is whether the Town will require a second ice pad in the future.

Provision standards for ice pads were historically based on population. This population-based standard was one ice pad for every 10,000 residents.

Regardless of future demand to require a second ice pad, it would be in the Town’s best financial interest to twin the ice pad at the Maitland Recreation Centre for operating efficiencies.

Principles that will guide the future use of the site include making a space that is inclusive and accessible for all, ensure the facility is financially viable and sustainable, create a space that is activated through a wide range of recreational and social needs, collaborate with partners, and respect the history and significance of the Memorial Arena to the Town’s identity.

After months of studies, meetings and data collection, a clear plan has been proposed for renovating and reopening the Memorial Arena, yet a timeline remains unclear.

Discussions revolving around management of the asset brought up the possibility of partnering with local service clubs, some of which are in favour of supporting whatever is decided for the fate of the Memorial Arena.

“We should provide them that opportunity to come to council, give us in detail what they’re thinking, and if there are any negotiations that need to happen to partner with them,” added Bazinet.

“If it helps us with the deficit of the building, or if it helps us with renovating the building, I think we should be all ears to that.”

A motion was approved by Council to defer deciding on progressing with the recommendation made from the Memorial Arena Task Force. This will allow for further discussions to take place with local service clubs before an informed decision is made on the fate of the Memorial Arena.