Even though renovations are well underway on the Frank Doherty Arena, it is not looking likely that the skating rink will be ready in time for the start of hockey season.
“The big question I’m getting from people in the community is if it’s going to be ready in the fall with all the necessary renovations?” Councillor Carmen DeRose asked City Hall staff at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
The city’s director of public works and community services, Geoff Holman, responded that the renovations are expected to be completed by the end of September.
“There will be some issues related to the timing to get ice in,” said Holman. “We’re working with the Junior B’s and the folks at the Canada Games Park to help schedule their try-outs and early exhibition games. We are expecting to have ice in and ready to go by the end of September.”
Back in March, the city permanently closed the James Whyte Arena. Come September, user groups in Thorold, such as the Thorold Skating Club and the Junior B’s, will have to split their time between the Doherty Arena and the newly built Canada Games Park.
For that to happen, the renovations on the Doherty Arena will first need to be completed.
“My concern is that the user groups will need to know—just the availability and what their options are,” said Councillor DeRose. “If you could keep us updated that would be great.”
