By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Chatham-Kent is about to embark on a new arena feasibility study.
Council voted to approve the probe, following a motion from Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy at the June 8 meeting. It directs administration to examine two future ice-pad possibilities, including constructing a new multi-use arena with at least one pad and 2,500 seats to accommodate the Chatham Maroons. The other would see the construction of a 5,000-seat facility large enough to host an Ontario Hockey League team.
Examining the need for additional playing surfaces/ice pads to accommodate community need are factored into both aspects of the study.
Council worked cohesively on the arena issue, moving beyond a rift that arose earlier this spring. That’s when controversy erupted following a meeting called by Mayor Darrin Canniff to speak with Ontario Hockey League Commissioner Bryan Crawford on the possibility of bringing an OHL team to Chatham.
At the meeting he invited some – not all – members of council. However, Crawford ended up making a presentation to all of council outlining the possibility of a local franchise OHL franchise.
Bondy, who wasn’t part of the original OHL meet, raised a motion about an arena study earlier this spring, a motion he later withdrew. Regarding his new motion, he said he simply wants to make sure all avenues are explored.
“So, the point of this, is that council will have more than one option,” Bondy said, noting it’s been 12 years since the arena issue has been considered by council.
“The next council has several different options to choose from before we make this massive decision.”
West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson said she appreciated the matter coming forward.
“This does give the opportunity for us to gather some more information so that we can make an informed decision,” she added.
Chatham Coun. Amy Finn also chimed in, stressing she wanted to make sure the Chatham Maroons would be accommodated in at least one of the future options.
“I would like to make sure the Maroons are considered when we do the feasibility study,” Finn said, adding she’s worried about game scheduling conflicts between a new OHL team and the Maroons.
In his comments, general manager of engineering and infrastructure Edward Soldo said the Maroons and a possible future OHL team would be playing on the same ice service.
“There would obviously have scheduling to be done in a scenario like that,” Soldo explained. “But you wouldn’t build that big of an oversize arena from a financial or community need perspective,” adding a 5,000-seat arena would meet the needs of both teams.
Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor successfully entered a pair of friendly amendments to the motion noting he wanted to ensure any future ice pads would have adequate seating.
“This type of investment happens very rarely so we want to make sure we have all the options,” McGregor said.
Earlier this year, Crawford said an OHL franchise would come to Chatham if the municipality committed to building the necessary infrastructure.
Chatham-Kent’s 2025 Parks & Recreation Master Plan, approved by council, has identified a need for a twin-pad multi-use recreation complex.
