Community fights to save arena in Mindemoya as council reviews options

The future of the J.H. Burt Memorial arena in Mindemoya on Manitoulin Island remains uncertain as the municipality evaluates repair options for the rink, which has served the community for over 70 years.

While the main building remains stable, Central Manitoulin Mayor Richard Stevens says the arena's more recent extension is structurally compromised, with its outside wall failing.

"We ended up getting a couple of heavy snowfalls and staff noticed that the outside wall where the extension is, was buckling," Stevens said. 

Engineers were called to assess the arena and deemed it unsafe for use. 

Stevens said the municipality is preparing a comprehensive review of all recreational facilities, including the arena, to determine priorities for upgrades and repairs. 

An interim report to determine the most cost-effective solution is expected within a month, and the arena's future is likely to be discussed at the next council meeting on April 8.

"It'll be like any other cost-benefit relationship," Stevens said. "You've got to measure the benefits you're going to get out of repairing something that is 70 or 80 years old, versus saving that money and putting it into a new structure."

Community members launch fundraiser, petition

Despite the financial hurdles, the Mindemoya community is taking action. 

Local resident Marie Ford says people quickly mobilized to support the arena, organizing a pancake supper fundraiser on April 1.

"When things happen here, everybody gets together," Ford said. "Our goal is to work with our municipality and basically be able to donate some money toward that fix."

While Stevens said he thinks "it's fantastic" to have community support, "it won't go very far."

"When we had the last analysis, we had had a consultant draft up a report for us when we thought it was time to look at replacing the arena, and the report came in for about $15 million," Stevens said. 

Ford, who is also circulating a petition calling on council to go ahead with the repairs, said the arena is more than just a place for hockey and skating, hosting numerous community events throughout the year.

"Our concern was that if the arena doesn't open, we have all kinds of activities in the summer," she said.

"Men's ball, kids' ball, Special Olympics, club events, cycling advocates, the summer market — once summer is over, we're back into minor hockey. If that wall isn't fixed, our kids aren't going to be playing hockey there."

As for whether or not the arena will be ready for hockey in the fall, Stevens said: "I certainly hope so, and I have no reason to believe it won't be."