Fundraising for a new St. Catharines arena exceeded goals when a $5.25-million naming-rights deal was consummated — resulting in a Meridian Centre moniker — so a new, higher goal was established.
The community arena, which will house the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs, is currently under construction, and is expected to be completed in September 2014. The design is from PBK Architects; construction is by Ball-Rankin Construction.
Capacity for the arena in in flux, and that’s where the fundraising comes in. The original fundraising goal was $5 million, but that was exceeded when the Meridian Centre naming-rights were sold. If fundraising continues to be successful, excess funds could be used to add retractable seats to one end of the arena, which would increase capacity by 700 or so. Similarly, there are other amenities that could be added — like cupholders — if fundraising is successful.
