Drayton’s First Arena
While reading a copy of a lease agreement, dated Feb. 18, 1902, between Anna Maria Richards, wife of William Richards, Lessor and James N. Reilly, Lessee, for a parcel of land, on Main Street West in Drayton my curiosity was aroused by the rather strange description of the land. In part, the description says “commencing of the northerly side of Lot Twenty (according to Bolton’s Plan of the Village of Drayton) at a point on the northerly side of said lot which would form right angle with a line running south west at the distance of five feet from the easterly side of the skating rink now erected on the said lot”.
A December 1901 issue of the Drayton Advocate reported that J. M. Adams and James Reilly had started building a skating rink behind the Presbyterian Church. A January 1902 issue of the same paper reported that “with the Reilly rink practically all set up, including electric lights, Drayton is all set for a winter of sport.”
It had to be the same building. The Richards’ farm land was behind the church, with frontage on both Main Street West and Wellington Street South. The rink was located on land that is now part of the municipal parking lot, the start of the walking trail, and the berm on the east bank of the river.
The length of the lease was for ten years with an annual rental of $5. Mr. Reilly, the Lessee, in addition to the rent, was to pay any taxes and could not assign or sublet the lease without approval of the Lessor. The premises were to be used only for lawful amusement and recreation, such to include skating, concerts, lectures, festivals or public meetings of any nature. He also had the option of purchasing the land, during the term of the lease, for the sum of $200.
Mr. Reilly then got a $500 mortgage on the property from George M. Fox, presumably to complete the rink. Records show Reilly paid the interest in 1903 and interest and $100 on the principal in 1903. However records show that Mr. Fox received $100. from Wm. Richards on May 23rd,1905 to be applied to the principal of the same mortgage.
Skating carnivals
On April 1, 1906 William H. Richards, son of Anna Maria and William Richards, purchased the property for $200 He then obtained a $400 mortgage from Thomas Hambly on April 10, 1906. Records signed by T. Hambly show the mortgage was paid off April 12, 1910. He continued to operate the rink, which was used not only for winter Sports but for local gatherings all year round.
There is record of two skating carnivals held during the winter of 1902. Both enjoyed by young and old. A hockey team was formed in 1902 and The Drayton Curling in 1906. We have read other News reports of the reeve declaring a public holiday when local school children would march to the rink and the citizens would gather to hear speeches by given by local political and church leaders. Reeve Emes E. Dales seemed to be noted for this practice.
The Advocate reported in December 1919 that “A cyclone hit the rink, so fierce was the attack that the 158 feet by 68 feet structure was lifted skyward. Some of it landed on Main Street and much of it was blown to the field across the street. Timbers were twisted like paper towels and made a sorry scene. It was owned by Reeve W. H. Richards and no insurance was carried. However, it wasn’t long before a bee was organized, a clearance was made, and work on an open-air rink began.” We don’t know if the base of the rink was used or if they cleared the ice on the Conestogo River.
In December 1922 the Advocate reported that “the boys of Drayton had cleared a stripe of ice on the Conestogo and strung some lights, ready for business until such time as a rink was built”.
It wasn’t until 1927 that the rink, on Elm Street, was built by the community. That building served the community until 1975, when it was closed by the Ministry of Labour, as unsafe for assembly occupancy during the winter.
submitted by Jean Campbell
