Joe Preston, MP; Tom Marks, Mayor of Central Elgin; Steve Peters, MPP; Jim McIntyre, Mayor of Southwold
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Joe Preston, MP (Elgin-Middlesex-London) and the Hon. Steve Peters, MPP (Elgin-Middlesex-London) joined representatives of Southwold Township Council, the Green Lane Community Trust and Central Elgin Council members today in a ceremony to mark the start of rehabilitation work on the Port Stanley Arena. The $1.5 million project includes the construction of a new arena floor slab and related refrigeration equipment, new flooring and walls in the upstairs community hall, and renovations to the arena lobby that will include a new elevator and new stairs that will improve accessibility to the community hall. The project will be funded by all three levels of government. Deputy Mayor Tom Marks stated, “This construction project is a great example of the benefits of federal and provincial governments joining municipalities in funding the rehabilitation of local infrastructure.” He added, “Fewer Central Elgin tax dollars will now be required to carry out this necessary work because of the grants received.”

The Canadian and Ontario governments are each providing $460,000 towards the Arena rehabilitation project for a total contribution of $920,000. The Green Lane Community Trust will be providing a $100,000 contribution. The Township of Southwold will fund one third of
the balance with Central Elgin funding two thirds of the balance ($320,000).

AECOM was retained by the Municipality of Central Elgin to provide architectural and engineering services related to the rehabilitation project. Aveiro Construction of Dorchester was awarded the contract to carry out the rehabilitation work following a tender call. An
engineering audit of the Port Stanley Arena had indicated that the floor slab was nearing the end of its life span. Further, the existing elevator would not meet upcoming disabled accessibility requirements.