The Town of Oakville is deciding what to do with the site and future of the Oakville Arena. In my opinion the Town of Oakville needs to seek a heritage designation for the Oakville Arena. Information in a recent local survey to residents in the area indicated it is one of 3 remaining barn-style arenas in Ontario. So why keep this arena and designate it as a heritage building? From a long-term perspective it is significant to our local history and our national sport’s history, it suits the neighborhood, and it can still be utilized in a city that has an incredible demand for ice time.
A heritage designation will ensure the structure and overall appearance of the facility remain intact. Preserving a classic barn-style arena like the Oakville Arena is significant to our national and local history, especially if only 3 remain in the province. Thankfully for me this is a hockey mad nation. We obsess over the sport and everything about it, including our hockey and figure skating history. The Oakville Arena is like your favorite antique - full of character, charm, and mystery. You sometimes look at it and wonder about its journey. If you have ever walked into the Oakville Arena you get that feeling, especially if you have spent time in different arenas.
The outside of the Oakville Arena may not be the most appealing structure however I believe the right designer or architect could give it a face lift. Overall it blends in well with the neighborhood and surrounding parks giving that corner a real community feel. Arenas are community hubs where people socialize, cheer, and come together for a variety of reasons. I believe operating this facility is costly and renovations would be expensive, but even in its current conditions it effectively serves local community and recreation needs. This is important for me because as a hockey instructor and local resident I find there is minimal availability of public ice, especially south of the QEW.
So designate it a heritage building, keep it operating as an ice rink, and if the budget permits a retrofit to make it more appealing on the outside and efficient on the inside.
I agree totally with the heritage proposal. The arena was part of my youth growing up. I played hockey in it when I was a kid in the 60s, went there to watch the wrestling. Who can forget the Mighty Igor, Haystack Calhoun and all the rest from that era.
ReplyDeleteI also spent many a sunday night there cheering for the Oakville Oaks. It was like the Maple Leaf Gardens of Oakville. Save some of our past dammit!
TC
Great stories and memories. Thanks for your post!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. I played every game as a kid in Oakville minor hockey in that arena from 1968 to 1976. I will never forget that walk from the dressing room area to the ice, where you pass by the snack bar and glassed in area. The smell of coffee, cigars and chocolate bars are burned into my mind forever. As a kid that place seemed as big as Maple Leaf Gardens, I am amused now as I look at the pics of the old barn today and see how small it was. I was reminded of this great arena because of the recent Timbits commercials with the same style arena and with Sid the Kid in them. I will never forget the great atmosphere of a Friday night Blades game, especially against the Burlington Mohawks. Also saw some great games with the Oaks. I hope they preserve it somehow. I have been in Calgary now for some 35 years, but have never forgotten this wonderful building.
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