In response to serious structural issues affecting the west wall, the newly formed Mindemoya Arena Repair Committee (MARC)—led by Chair Marie Ford, Vice Chair Lauren Dewar, Secretary Karlene Scott, Treasurer Steve Shaffer, and Media Coordinator Marcus Mohr—has taken the lead on organizing grassroots fundraising efforts, advocating for transparency, and supporting timely repairs. The efforts of thi
s group, alongside incredible input and help from local volunteers, event organizers, businesses, and families, have brought us to this point of action. Community spirit has truly been the driving force behind every step forward. At the heart of this movement is a shared desire to keep our arena safe—not only structurally, but emotionally and practically—for the children, families, and seniors who rely on it. That’s why one of the most urgent concerns our committee shares is the need to address the root cause of the wall failure. There have been conflicting reports from engineers and staff regarding snow load levels and snow depth, which has left the public confused and concerned. But for us, the issue is simple: safety must come first. We are urging the Municipality to make child and community safety the top priority by implementing:
- Routine structural inspections,
- Snow load monitoring and timely removal,
- Publicly accessible maintenance logs. We should never again be in a position where the safety of our children and facility users is in question due to oversight or delayed upkeep. We also respectfully request that municipal leadership:
- Take immediate action on the west wall repair, to avoid delays,
- Ensure there are no disruptions to summer events or the 2025–2026 hockey season,
- Respond transparently to questions about MARC’s role and arena planning,
- Seriously consider the local contractor’s proposal to complete the work at a reduced cost—an offer rooted in community pride and practical savings.
