The Town of Goderich is leaning towards repurposing the Memorial Arena as a multi-use facility, but it is waiting to hear back from local groups before diving fully into the project.
Council received the Draft Comprehensive Plan from GSP Group this week, which outlined a phased approach that could see the building reopened for rentals in the short-term, as funds would be raised for extensive repairs in the long-term.
GSP estimated it would cost around $90,000 to get the building up to code and reopened, while the complete repurposing across three phases would be around $14 million.
Steve Weaver President and Senior Planner at GSP said the demand for the building was there.
"The need came through pretty loud and clear," he said. "On the surface, it might look like, for Goderich's population, you have all that you need in terms of gym space and multi-purpose space, but when you scratch below that surface, you see that there's some limitations in terms of what they can accomodate."
Weaver noted that YMCA facilities at the Maitland Recreation Centre are near capacity, school gyms are heavily booked and unavailable during the day, so another recreation space would be well-received. He also noted it had a unique position in town for its ability for its capacity for community events.
Weaver advised council to talk about a partnership model with user groups to help minimize costs before beginning Phase 1.
Mayor Trevor Bazinet said he had also been informed that user groups were considering that idea.
"We have been made aware that the service clubs are interested in approaching council with some type of agreement, partnership, you name it," he said. "I think we should provide them that opportunity to come to council, give us it in details what they're thinking. If there's negotiations that need to happen... if it helps us with the deficit of the building, if it helps us with renovating the building, I think we should be all ears to that."
Council deferred a motion on the draft plan until they hear from the local groups.