Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Hockey season is in full swing in Middlesex Centre. And so is the renovation project involving the Ilderton Arena.
“Work has been scheduled to avoid conflicts with ice users. We did some of the work this past summer, such as the spectator area upgrades. We will be starting the work on the lobby, dressing rooms, and rink (new boards and glass) in April when the ice season is over,” says Heather Kepran Manager of Strategic Communication for the municipality.
The $4 million project was approved by council in April, and will see substantial improvements to the 52-year-old arena. “We are currently on budget,” says Kepran. Although the municipality has been turned down for three large grants in the past, it applied a fourth time this fall and is awaiting a response.
The most recent stage of the renovations involves design modifications to the lobby and other areas of the arena.
New spectator seating has been installed and the walls have been painted. Tube heaters are also in place.
“These are the heaters that are overhead in the spectator/seating area. They are tube shaped, and radiate heat downward to those in the stands. They were installed last summer and are in use now,” says Kepran.
The arena will be a hub of construction activity in April. Major modifications to the arena include improved access to the entrance, featuring doors leading onto the sidewalk. The lobby will be opened up and new rink boards and glass will be integrated into the lobby.
There will be five full-sized dressing rooms, new washrooms, and a multipurpose room.
The renovations will also include features such as waste heat from the refrigeration room being used to heat the dressing rooms and lobby.
Plans call for the substantial completion of the project by August 2025.
