Source: The Standard
A $10-million investment from the province will bring significant upgrades to Chippawa Willoughby Memorial Arena, including a new NHL-sized ice pad.
Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s minister of sport, made the announcement Tuesday in front of the 52-year-old Niagara Falls arena on Sodom Road.
“These investments go way past bricks and mortar,” he said.
“These are places where young people develop their skills in sport, where seniors stay active and connected and where people come together, which becomes the heart of their community.”
Arena upgrades will also include seven accessible change rooms and additional spectator seating.
The upgraded facility will also be home to a new library branch.
Niagara Falls Public Library permanently closed its Chippawa branch in May 2024 after building inspections confirmed much-needed repairs and accessibility updates would be cost-prohibitive.
“Having a modern, accessible library in this new facility will be so important to the growing Chippawa community and we’re grateful to the City of Niagara Falls and the Province of Ontario for their leadership and investment in this vision,” said library board chair Anne Andres-Jones.
Library services and programs in the area are now being delivered via the Niagara Falls Public Library Bookmobile.
“This major investment will change lives for generations in Niagara Falls,” said Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati.
“It will be a cornerstone for recreation, learning and community connection.”
The city had been conducting a feasibility study to look at the viability and sustainability of the arena.
It hosted two public consultations in March and launched an online survey in April to gather input from residents. The results of the study have yet to come before city council for discussion.
“If it wasn’t for the province, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Diodati said.
“Chippawa is a great community, and they’re going to get a beautiful facility.”
The city said Chippawa is one of the fastest-growing areas in Niagara Falls and its population is expected to double in the next 20 years.
The city’s planning department noted 200 homes were built in Chippawa in the past five years, and an additional 1,100 units are planned.
The arena upgrade represents part of $11.1 million in provincial funding to support infrastructure at a number of sport and recreation facilities in Niagara.
“Like other communities across Ontario, the Niagara region is seeing tremendous growth,” Lumsden said.
“As it grows, it’s crucial that we have the necessary facilities where youth, seniors and families can access affordable programming that keeps them active and healthy.”
The province is also investing $420,000 to retrofit Niagara Centre YMCA in Welland with energy-efficient LED lighting and replace two rooftop HVAC units.
“These improvements are essential, not only to help us deliver impactful programs but also to reduce our carbon footprint, lower operating costs and create a healthier, more environmentally-responsible space for everyone who walks through our doors,” said Ben McDermott, YMCA’s general manager of health, fitness and aquatics.
Also, almost $700,000 will support Niagara Olympic Club’s track and field infrastructure.
“It truly takes a village to build a healthy thriving community,” said Sharon Stewart, chair of the St. Catharines-based organization.
“In keeping with the African philosophy that children are a collective responsibility and a source of joy, this revitalization effort reflects a shared vision to provide youth with meaningful opportunities in sports and empower all residents to live active healthy lives.”
The local projects are part of the $200-million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, a provincewide initiative to revitalize facilities, grow the economy and promote active, healthy living across Ontario.
The fund supports municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profit organizations through two streams: one for repairing and rehabilitating existing sport and recreation facilities and spaces, and another for building new or transformative sport and recreation infrastructure.
The province said sport contributes more than $7.5 billion to the economy every year.