Meadow Lake City Council is expected to discuss future arrangements surrounding the Meadow Lake & District Arena that was destroyed in a fire on June 6. (Elliott Knopp/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Elliott Knopp

Arena Solutions

Meadow Lake City Council set to discuss Meadow Lake & District Arena solutions

Jun 8, 2021 | 12:23 PM

The City of Meadow Lake is expected to hold a meeting this week to discuss the city’s approach to the replacement of the Meadow Lake & District Arena.

After a fire destroyed the community hub over the weekend, many sports teams and athletes have been left wondering what lies ahead for their recreational future. Without their main facility to call home, Councillor Clay DeBray said he has been contacted by several people and organizations looking to discuss future facility arrangements.

“We’re in contact with people in different organizations to come up with a plan. I won’t say the decision is going to be a difficult one, but it’s something that we’re going to have to try and make everything as fair as we can be across the board,” DeBray said.

“As the manager of the [Pineridge Ford Place Arena], we had a staff meeting to let the staff know that we’ve got to be prepared. It looks like we’re going to have to bring in more staffing. We understand the importance and the need, and we need to make sure we’re prepared for it in our end.”

DeBray explained he’s received numerous calls and texts from people grieving the loss of the building some figuratively claim “were born and raised” in the arena.

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“It was a second home, and all of the memories that have been shared will continue being shared for a long time. I feel for all the citizens out there. It was the hub of our community, and people kept the facility close to their hearts.”

The search for available ice surfaces has already begun for DeBray. He shared he has started looking into possibly using the new full-sized regulation outdoor arena he designed last fall. One of the concerns with the outdoor rink is purchasing a coverall system and adding some smaller buildings for players to use as a dressing room.

“It’s not confirmed yet but I’m working on that process as well, and we do have communities that have offered as well, like Makwa Sahgaiehcan and Waterhen Lake, where they also can be accessible for what’s needed,” DeBray shared.

The fire that consumed the entire Meadow Lake & District Arena remains under investigation.

The Meadow Lake RCMP detachment put out a media release on Sunday detailing the initial state of the investigation. It is believed that the fire started in a storage shed next to the arena and the concession stand was broken into. Police reported a grey truck was said to be leaving the arena before officials arrived on scene.

Meadow Lake Fire Chief Neil Marsh stated fire crews were able to control natural gas and sources of electricity while battling the blaze early Sunday morning.

“We were called out some time after 1 a.m., and we were on scene until 8:30 a.m., and put back together in service by 11 a.m.,” Marsh said.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or any other incidents is asked to contact the Meadow Lake RCMP at (306) 236-2570, or submit an anonymous tip to Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp