Lakers open to idea of new city-owned arena
It could lead to the PMC becoming a permanent lacrosse/indoor soccer facility
Making the Memorial Centre a permanent home for lacrosse is one option the Century 21 Lakers would like considered if a new arena and events centre is built in Peterborough.
Toronto-based consultants Sierra Planning and Management recommended to city council on Monday night the city build a new facility to replace the aging Memorial Centre. The consultants’ full report, with details such as potential sites, costs and amenities, is expected to be ready for council in May. It will also offer suggestions on how to repurpose the 62-year-old PMC.
Lakers spokesman Brian Cowie said the Major Series Lacrosse team supports the idea of a new arena. On one hand, it would be exciting to move the Lakers into a state-of-the-art facility but it would also be another option.
“We’d be quite happy to have our own building,” said Cowie. “Somewhere where we had a little more control. It would be a nicer place to play in a new arena but, again, as kind of the secondfiddle with sponsorships and all those types of things, the city has been evident in that they’re giving the Petes the priority that way. For us to have our own place it might make our sponsorships easier and help us out economically, too, rather than fighting for that last piece of bread on the table.”
Cowie suggested the repurposing of the PMC could be as an indoor sports venue for lacrosse and soccer, among others. It would remove the necessity of operating an ice plant at the arena but also keep it a viable facility and please those who don’t want to see the Memorial Centre torn down. Cowie said it’s just one option the Lakers’ board discussed Tuesday night following Monday’s council meeting.
“We like the look of independence but we also like the look of a new rink,” he said. “It’s a little bit of a balancing of needs and priorities to be sorted out but, either way, it would be good news.”
Cowie said Sierra officials have met with the Lakers to get their input but he says the board was disappointed the council discussion focused so much on the Petes and an “OHL facility,” he said. Combined with the fact the city is planning to move the Lakers out of the PMC next summer to repair the arena floor and boards, “We’re feeling left out, that’s for sure,” he said.
The Lakers would like to see the process of a new arena expedited so that maybe those floor repairs scheduled for next summer are deemed unnecessary.
“The biggest thing for us is to get it done as soon as possible,” Cowie said. “We’re anticipating this report might say do not spend any more money on the Memorial Centre. What they were proposing, ripping up the floor, is quite a bit of money for just four years if they started now.
“We have immediate concerns over the next two years. If we lose the Memorial Centre next year we’re really not quite sure where that’s going to leave us.”
Sierra is hosting an open meeting for public input on a new arena on Tuesday at the Evinrude Centre beginning at 6:30 p.m.