The arena in Meadow Lake appeared to be a total loss following a fire early Sunday. (Facebook/Meadow Lake Memories)

By Teena Monteleone

devastating fire

“That was our hub”: Meadow Lake arena devastated by fire

Jun 6, 2021 | 11:55 AM

Residents in Meadow Lake and area are waking up to what the city is describing as an incredible loss.

The Meadow Lake & District Arena, which has been at the heart of the community for 45 years, was destroyed in a fire overnight.

(Facebook/Meadow Lake Memories)

City Councillor Clay DeBray told meadowlakeNOW he received a call notifying him about the fire around 1:53 a.m. Sunday.

“The Meadow Lake fire department was on hand quickly and trying their hardest to get the flames down. It was pretty devastating to see,” DeBray said.

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UPDATE: At 6 p.m. Sunday evening, Meadow Lake RCMP said in a release they believe the fire started in the storage shed next to the arena. An older model grey truck was also witnessed leaving just before police arrived on the scene. RCMP also said the concession stand in the arena’s parking lot was broken into.

RCMP are encouraging those with information on the events to contact Meadow Lake RCMP at (306) 236-2570, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

A post on the City of Meadow Lake’s Facebook page thanked first responders for preventing the fire from spreading and encouraged the community to honour good memories and ‘grieve the loss of this part of our shared history.’

(Facebook/Meadow Lake Memories)

“Just like most of small-town Saskatchewan, that arena was the hub of our community,” DeBray said. “You have so many kids involved in minor hockey, senior teams, figure skating, hosting concerts and events. It’s just a huge loss.”

DeBray said eventually the focus will shift to the future and the community will develop a plan to determine what they’ll do to replace the loss.

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Teena.Monteleone@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MonteleoneTeena