Hundreds gather to celebrate grand opening of impressive new facility
Monday, March 6, 2023
It was a day of celebration as the City of Sault Ste. Marie and community partners held its grand opening ceremony for the new state-of-the-art twin pad arena located at the Northern Community Centre (556 Goulais Avenue).
The new facility will provide year-round recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities, and it includes several impressive features such as a rubberized walking track, two NHL sized ice pads, spectator seating on both sides of the ice surfaces (750 and 250), an electric ice resurfacer, 10 change rooms (two fully accessible), two referee rooms, space for public and user group meetings and community gathering activities, a concession stand and a pro shop. The design and amenities will provide an unforgettable experience for hockey fans.
“We are thrilled to open the doors of the Northern Community Centre,” said Mayor Matthew Shoemaker. “The facility is not just a venue for hockey games – it will serve as a hub for community events and entertainment options throughout the year. It is a demonstration of the City’s commitment to providing the best possible quality of life experience for residents.”
Funding and support for this project has been provided by the Government of Ontario’s Strategic Priorities Infrastructure Fund and the City of Sault Ste. Marie.
“This facility will be enjoyed by our community for many decades to come,” said Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “Having spent most of my life in the west end of the city, I can appreciate the significance of having community recreational facilities in both ends of our city. It was exciting for me to join the Minister of Infrastructure to announce the $18 million in funding that made this dream a reality and all the more exciting to be able to see it's completion today!”
Several organizations contributed to the project including IDEA Architectural, N45 and Ellis Don. Northern Credit Union extended their naming rights agreement to include the new facility and the City of Sault Ste. Marie is pleased to welcome long-term lease partnerships with the Algoma District School Board, Sault College and the Pee Wee Pro Shop.
The arena will serve as a hub for sports entertainment and community events for years to come. A free public skate is planned during the March Break on Tuesday, March 14 from 1 – 3 p.m. All are welcome to attend and experience this impressive community facility.