The Kingston Memorial Centre could be in for a renovation.
The City of Kingston’s Arts, Recreation and Community Policies Committee are discussing a protentional redevelopment of the Kingston Memorial Centre as part of a broader city-wide plan for Kingston’s recreation facilities.
The proposed developments are to add a second NHL sized ice rink to the Memorial Centre site that would include improved locker rooms and training areas.
According to a recording of a committee meeting that took place on June 25, the committee engaged with the community, user groups, external organizations, and internal staff to come up with the redevelopment plan.
Built in 1951, the arena has hosted Kingston’s OHL franchises — including the Kingston Canadians, and now the Kingston Frontenacs — before Slush Puppie Place was built in 2008. Since then, it has been the primary home of the Queen’s Gaels hockey and figure skating teams.
In a media release, the City of Kingston said Queen’s would advance into a long-term structured lease agreement at a “an expanded and redeveloped facility.”
In the same statement, City of Kingston Director of Recreation & Leisure Services Amy Elgersma said that “Queen’s University’s interest presents a significant opportunity to explore a shared future for the Kingston Memorial Centre.”
Queens Athletics & Recreation (A&R) Executive Director Linda Melnick said in the release.
The Journal contacted A&R for a representative to speak on the plan but did not receive a response.
The project is currently in phase one of a multi-phase process that prioritizes analysis, site evaluation, and engagement. The committee is currently on schedule to shift to phase two, which will shift the conversation into more visioning, concept design, and capital planning.
Currently, no details of funding or long-term agreements between City and Queen’s have been publicized.
Tags
Athletics and Recration, City of Kingston, Memorial Centre, Memorial Centre grounds
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