A replacement for Peterborough Memorial Centre could be in order, as a recent study recommends constructing a new arena.
Officials in the Ontario city have been discussing their options for the Peterborough Memorial Centre, the current home of hockey’s Peterborough Petes (OHL) and Major Series Lacrosse’s Peterborough Lakers. In a presentation to the city council on Monday, Sierra Planning and Management recommended the construction of a new arena, citing the aging condition of the current facility.
As part of the plan, any new arena would be likely designed to host to hockey along with other events. Additional study will have to take place to determine the full scope and some major details of the project, but the report gave some ideas to the city on how to proceed with discussions. More from MyKawartha.com:
Their recommendation is a new venue for sports and events which would accommodate major concerts and trade shows.
A city-owned property at Wolfe and Townsend streets has been previously identified by city staff as a prime place to put a new facility.
The city’s chief administrative officer Allan Seabrooke says the second phase of the study will nail down details about what the facility should look like, including seating and the building’s footprint. With those details the city will be better able to determine where to put the new arena.
He also says a downtown arena could potentially benefit the area as other downtown arenas have. Seabrooke pointed to Oshawa and Kingston as places where downtown arenas have positive impacts on the surrounding community.
Peterborough Memorial Centre originally opened in 1956.
RELATED STORIES: Peterborough Petes Support Arena Plan; Peterborough Could Build New OHL Arena
