It may only be hockey players that notice, but upgrades to the Walkerton Arena are coming along nicely, Brockton’s director of recreation and facilities said.
Dan Wilken said there is $1 million in total going into the municipality’s facilities, from RInC (Recreation Infrastructure Canada) funding.
He said about half of the funding went into the arena, and the other half went towards upgrades to the swimming pool.
The boards and glass around the rink have been replaced, and new rubber flooring installed.
“The original boards and glass have long surpassed their life expectancy,”?Wilken said.
He said some of the boards were originals from when the community centre was built, and the rubber flooring was last replaced in the 1980s.
“It was worn to the concrete in some spots,”?Wilken said.
Some leaks in the roof are also being repaired.
Wilken said that the repairs and upgrades won’t affect plans for a new arena that will be included in Brockton’s proposed municipal complex.
“A lot of this work needed to be done just to provide us with a facility that’s up to standards,”?said Wilken. “We couldn’t go on with the existing arena as it was.... and with the funding coming available, it was pretty obvious this was our opportunity.”
He also said this will ensure that the arena will continue to be usable if the municipality is fortunate enough to secure a new arena.
The swimming pool is also getting some much needed upgrades and repairs.
He said some deficiencies are being fixed, and efficiencies being created, such as solar heating, and upgrades to amenities.
The municipality secured the funding from the RInC program; part of the federal and provincial  governments’ stimulus spending. One of the provisions was to use the money within a certain time frame.
The funding came on a one-third basis from each level of government, and Wilken said most of the municipality’s portion came from a $300,000 grant they received two years ago, and the $35,000 remainder came from department reserves.
“We sat on the $300,000 for a while and figured out a plan for this arena, knowing this RInC funding was coming down. So there wasn’t really a cost to Brockton (ratepayers),” Wilken said.
He added that the arena is the “hub” of the community, and is municipality’s first impression for many visitors.
“This certainly will help make that first impression that much better,” said Wilken.