Pelham residents get glimpse of new $36-million arena
Official grand opening set for September
Close to 850 people took advantage of an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the new $36-million arena and community complex in Pelham on Saturday.
A soft opening was held for local residents who toured the fully-accessible, 12,870-squaremetre, two-storey, multi-purpose Meridian Community Centre ahead of an official grand opening that will take place in September.
The recreational hub, located at Regional Rd. 20 and Rice Road, offers two gymnasiums, two ice surfaces, a large community multi-purpose space, an indoor walking track and community meeting rooms.
A $3-million fundraising campaign was set by Pelham town council, which has been met, Mayor Dave Augustyn said Saturday.
As well, a $250,000 community pledge is underway and a seat-naming effort will also add to the bottom line of the project, which is being delivered on time and
without any overages, the mayor said.
“We won’t have that final number until September, but I’m certain it will be under budget,” Augustyn said.
He said the open house was a chance to show local residents a preview of what they have been looking forward to since construction started.
“They’re obviously anxious and excited, and want to see it,” Augustyn said. “It’s a space that can be used by so many people for so many different things.”
Though the facility doesn’t formally open entirely until September, events are booked for the next few weeks, such as a stag and doe, as well as basketball and lacrosse tournaments.
Matt Moncrieff, a father of two song aged three and five, said he and his wife are thrilled to have the state-of-the-art facility in their backyard.
“I’m very excited my boys will have this growing up,” said Moncrieff, who moved to Fonthill about four years ago.
Lucille Poulin and her husband Ron were also at the community centre on Saturday checking things out.
“It’s absolutely beautiful, just lovely,” said Lucille, who also expects she will get some use out of the facility.
Residents and business owners will later be able to have one of 1,000 seats at the centre inscribed with their names for a pledge of $250.
For more information on fundraising efforts, you can visit www.ourmcc.ca.