About 40 people representing themselves and community groups came out June 21 to look at the fate of the Mount Forest arena that will be replaced sometime next year by one on the other side of town.
It seemed a number of them want to keep the old arena, in addition to the new Sportsplex that is intended to replace the aging facility.
Mayor Mike Broomhead said over the past number of months, Recreation Director Linda Spahr reviewed other areas to determine what those communities had done with replaced arena properties.
Spahr said in Wingham, the arena was sold and now houses offices and a furniture warehouse. Orangeville kept its arena, while Acton had its arena demolished. Acton’s old arena now is an indoor soccer facility run in conjunction with the agricultural society. In Port Elgin, the building was sold to a local church, which now holds services in one half, and hopes to use the rest for youth group activities. The former New Liskeard arena houses a Canadian Tire store.
Spahr replied to one suggestion that was made, to turn the arena into a casino.
"Unfortunately, this is not going to be happening in our town," she said.
Broomhead presented a list of ideas suggested to date. He said they are for discussion purposes only. Council has yet to make a decision, and he said council promised to hold a public meeting first. He guaranteed one more public meeting, and said possibly others will be held for public comment. He also said no deadline is set.
"It’s a work in progress. We’re looking for public advice," he said.
Broomhead explained the recreation committee will hear comments and make a recommendation to council.
Ideas at the meeting include:
- use for seniors programs;
- farmers’ market;
- fix and keep existing arena;
- sell the property;
- sell the property at fair market value and apply that revenue to the existing debt. If no purchasers are interested, demolish the building to prevent ongoing costs for upkeep and insurance;
- lease the property at a reasonable rate and use the revenue to pay off debentures;
- develop a community hall and market square;
- transform the arena into a town market square where meeting, performing, and everyday commerce could be conducted, surrounded by green space and parkland. People could enjoy outdoor cafes in the summer and shopping inside in the winter;
- development, with carefully planned townhouses surrounded by greenspace and parkland. Sell the land at the north end for development according to site plans done in accordance with township policies, and use the revenue to offset costs of the new arena;
Multi-use development
- Allowing residential development on the east portion and conversion of the existing community centre to a privately owned and operated farmers’ and flea market and banquet facility. Retain some of the land for a public park and parking areas;
- roller skating rink (not inline skating;
- work yard and administration building;
- reduce costs by moving the Arthur Township and Mount Forest works yards plus the township administration offices to the site. That would free up space at the Mount Forest fire hall and the township would benefit by the sale of the Kenilworth offices and works department. The suggestion further contends the township would be better served if the administration building is in an urban location.
Tear it down
Others suggested getting rid of the building:
- get rid of ball diamonds and track, use the land for a subdivision, and invest profits in the Cork Street Park and a second ice pad for the new arena. Use the old arena until the ice machine quits, and extend that life by not using the machine until cold weather.
- move the archives from the old town hall;
- sell the old town hall to leave the township with a better facility to address future needs;
- rent the hall and lobby;
- the Mount Forest Dance Academy would like to rent the hall and lobby on a permanent basis.
Questions raised
One of the first questions raised was in regard to the history of the existing arena.
The speaker said there is talk on the street about contaminated soil and if the building needs major repairs.
Broomhead said that while there would be a need to replace the dressing rooms, he said any potential contamination beneath the concrete floor of the building would not be known until the floor is removed – something council is not prepared to do at this time.
And, while he agreed that the roof is in need of repair and may need to be replaced, "The building is structurally sound."
He explained the building is structurally sound. That is reviewed every five to seven years and anyone purchasing the building would need to have the structure examined.
The arena and grounds cover about 17 acres, and the township still has 15 years left in its agreement with the Mount Forest Agricultural Society. If the township were to sell the property, it would still need to provide space for such events such as the annual fall fair.
Deb Parker, secretary of the agricultural society, was pleased the group’s involvement is being recognized.
She had concerns about what would happen to various buildings on the current site that were constructed specifically to house agricultural events, and if those buildings would need to be moved – or even if they could be moved to the new site.
Parker favours the existing site for the fair because of the numerous access points which include entries for bringing in livestock.
However, she noted the arena floor is an integral part of the fair activities. If the arena is gone, "It removes a vital part of the fair," she said.
She added the agricultural society is willing to work with other groups to keep the existing green area a part of Mount Forest.
Broomhead again stressed no decision was made, and the municipality will continue to involve the agricultural society.
Another resident favoured a farmer’s market and using the arena to host weddings, graduations, and similar events.
Business owner Ron Forrest said in his 40 years in the community, he has seen a lot of changes – and a lot of mistakes.
"When I was a young lad, the town was around 1,800. Now its about 4,500." He sees continued growth requiring expanded works yards and fire department – both constrained by their current location.
He believes it would make sense to relocate the municipal works yards for Mount Forest and Kenilworth to the fairgrounds and arena, which would free up space at the fire hall. Forrest contends that with current growth, Mount Forest’s population could swell to 8,000 in the next four to seven years.
He saw the potential reuse of the facility as an opportunity. At the same time, he said if the Kenilworth works yard is moved north, the administrative offices for the township could also be relocated to Mount Forest and the building in Kenilworth sold. He said it makes sense to have the municipal office in an urban area, "since 30% to 40% of the population resides in Mount Forest."
Southgate Mayor Don Lewis also had a few questions. Southgate is to the north of Mount Forest and is involved in cost sharing for recreation. He asked if the township is looking at ideas for the whole 17 acres or simply the arena building.
Broomhead said council is considering all ideas.
Lewis asked if council had asked for any estimates for the value of the property.
The answer was no. Broomhead said that was to quell potential rumours. He said in a small town, as soon as the municipality asks for an estimate on property, the word on the street would be the property is for sale. Though he did not provide numbers, he did say a few developers had offered opinions on what they believe the property is worth.
Lewis asked if the site of the new Sports complex will be able to house the same activities as the current arena and fairground site.
Broomhead commented on a recent land purchase adjacent to the new Sports complex site, which adds about 3.5 acres. That site is also across the street from the Cork Street Park.
Lewis maintained if the township could consider ideas involving the sale of the fairgrounds, it must have some plan for the future.
Broomhead said there are ongoing discussions. "We’re trying to look at the whole picture. We’re building a Sports complex, not an arena."
He expects the new facility will be able to accommodate twice the number of programs offered in the current building.
Lewis asked what happens to the funds generated if the property is sold … or not.
"What happens to our 20% share [of capital costs] if it is no longer used," he asked.
Lewis indicated his township might not be as willing to support two arenas. "Our support of the new facility is support for the new facility," he said.
Others asked why consideration of what happens to the old facility was not taken into consideration at the same time council was considering a new building.
"I never felt there was a need to confuse the two issues," Broomhead said.
Other members of the agriculture society had concerns about any plan to sell off the property. One suggested if the town originally bought the property from the society for $1, perhaps council should sell it back for the same price.
Others in the audience suggested council work with community groups to find ways to rent the existing building – for additional usage.
Others, such as Jean Whalen, involved with the Mount Forest seniors, said local seniors appreciate the efforts to create accessible facilities at the new Sports complex and that they do support its construction. "But this is where we’d like to stay," she said of the old arena
Despite numerous suggestions made that the town look for ways to keep both facilities open, not everyone agreed.
"As a taxpayer, we cannot afford two arenas," Forrest said. "Not the town, nor the taxpayers."
At a recent meeting in Minto, the auditor there, when commenting on the costs of the three arenas in that municipality, noted the standard ratio is one arena for every 10,000 people. Wellington North Township has a population of 11,175. Another 2,500 people live in the township in the summertime. Southgate Township has another 7,000 people there, Southgate has representation on Wellington North’s recreation committee.
