Frontenac Community Arena back open for business

Craig Bakay | Sep 22, 2021

Frontenac Arena Board Chair and Central Frontenac Coun. Brent Cameron called the reopening of the arena Friday night a “rebirth,” and in many ways it was.

The building on Boundary Road between Central and South Frontenac Townships bears little resemblance to the one that first opened its doors in 1976. Notwithstanding the addition of the west end dressing rooms and many cosmetic improvements, a recent project to replace the ice surface as well as all the relevant infrastructure that goes into making an indoor skating surface was replace to the tune of $1.3 million worth. ($980,000 came in grants from the federal and provincial governments with the two townships making up the balance.) There are also new boards, glass and rubberized access surfaces.

“This was just an empty lot when the arena was born,” Cameron said.

On hand to cut the ribbon were two members of the founding arena committee, Marcel Giroux and Dave Hansen.

“There had been talk of building an indoor arena but it was thought too expensive,” Giroux said before cutting the ribbon. “One day, I was having coffee with Winston Cousins, who was the principal of the school.

“We realized that neither township could build it on its own but perhaps each of us could afford half of it.”

Giroux said that there was much discussion as to location before the current site was chosen, essentially on the border between the two townships.

“Even then, there were those who said it was too close to Verona but I said ‘it’s in the centre of the population.’”

Arena supervisor Tim Laprade said they’re still finishing up the bleachers and doing some painting but “the important stuff is done for the most part.”

That means that minor hockey (boys and girls), the Frontenac Phantoms of the Eastern Ontario (Men’s) Hockey League, as well as public skating and even private events should soon be providing work for the new ice surfacing machine that was purchased just before the pandemic hit.

There have even been improvements made to the cafeteria.

“We can take debit and credit cards now,” said South Frontenac Mayor Ron Vandewal.

Just don’t expect the condiments table to return any time soon. Because of covid, you’ll have to ask for a packet of mustard, relish and/or ketchup for your hot dog.