Morrisburg unveils arena renovations and Lions’ pride with new in-ice logo

Lions’ pride
Local officials attended the unveiling of Morrisburg Arena’s new and extensive renovations on Fri., Oct. 20. The new in-ice logo was one of many new features which will maintain the arena as a place of community and good competition. From left, Councillor Archie Mellan, Director of Recreation and Facilities Ben Macpherson, SDSG MPP Jim McDonell, South Dundas Deputy Mayor Jim Locke, Councillor Bill Ewing and South Dundas Mayor Evonne Delegarde.      Sawyer Helmer photo

Kalynn Sawyer Helmer
Record Staff
MORRISBURG – In February, the Municipality of South Dundas began planning for the potential renovations at the Morrisburg Arena. Thanks to a $315,000 grant from the Ontario150 Community Capital Program administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the major improvements have been completed and the Arena opened for regular operation on Sun., Oct. 22.

Courtesy photo

“We were thrilled to receive word that our grant application was successful,” said Municipality of South Dundas Mayor Evonne Delegarde. “There were tense moments when we discovered some structural issues with other areas of the arena; however, we were able to pull together to make the repairs in order to complete the project, without severely affecting our arena programming.”

Ben Macpherson, Director of Recreation and Facilities, oversaw the process and was pleased the work was completed efficiently with only a month’s worth of delays. Our user groups are excited to be back to their home ice. We’ve had very good staff and contractors that have put a lot of work into it,” said Macpherson.

Renovations included a full slab replacement and the whole cooling system under the ice, new boards, players benches, glass and flooring.

Guy Saumure and Sons were contracted with the project and Barry Bryan Associates was hired as project manager. Both crews’ vast experience and proven track record meant Macpherson and his team were confident with them.

“I would like to extend a sincere thank you to staff and the contractors for their excellent work on this project. Also a special thanks to Ben MacPherson for his ongoing communication with our user groups and working with them to arrange alternative ice times at various locations until completion of the project,” said Delegarde.

User groups have resumed their normal schedules on home ice and were met with the surprise of an in-ice logo. “We’ve never had an in-ice logo. It adds another level of pride and I think the kids will really take to it,” said Macpherson.

The unveiling of the arena was attended by community officials and dignitaries. Of those, SDSG MPP Jim McDonell expressed his pride in the work before him. “I am proud to join the Municipality of South Dundas and the community in announcing this Ontario 150 OTF grant for the Morrisburg Arena. This is a vibrant, growing and engaged community that treasures the opportunity to be active and come together to train and compete among themselves and against visiting teams. The new slab for the ice rink will guarantee the solidity and longevity of the Arena’s underlying structure for decades to come. Good infrastructure builds strong communities. Thanks to this grant and this important work, both existing and prospective residents of South Dundas can look forward to a full slate of indoor winter activities, helping their community stay healthy, active and close,” said McDonell.

“We are confident our residents will be as proud as we are of the new ice surface and that they will enjoy the great recreation and competitive programming that call this place home. We are very excited to unveil our new arena. Let the games begin,” concluded Delegarde.