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The Town of Innisfil is moving ahead with urgent repairs and long-term planning for the Stroud Innisfil Community Centre following its unexpected closure last month.
At a recent meeting, Council approved funding from the Town’s Capital Reserve Fund to address structural issues that led to the closure of the arena and banquet hall on January 20th. The concerns were identified through routine inspection processes. While the facility has received ongoing maintenance, officials say aging infrastructure has resulted in complex repair needs.
Based on a detailed report from an independent engineer, remediation work will include installing new structural supports, repairing the interior main-floor window and completing related restoration. Because of the building’s age, it is considered a designated substances site, meaning specialized abatement procedures will be required, along with replacement of impacted flooring, ceilings and finishes.
Construction timelines remain uncertain due to the complexity of the repairs and required preparatory work. In the meantime:
- Stroud summer camps and recreation programs will be relocated to alternate sites
- 2026/27 ice bookings for the Stroud arena may be delayed
- Banquet hall bookings will not be available throughout the summer
Town staff say user groups and residents will be updated as more information becomes available.
Council has also endorsed accelerating the Stroud Innisfil Community Centre Business Case and Site Study. The study will incorporate previous master plan data, operational and financial analysis, community consultation and preliminary conceptual designs to help guide long-term decisions about continued maintenance or potential redevelopment.
Despite the closure, the arena has been nominated for the Kraft Hockeyville 2026 award, which recognizes community arenas across Canada. Provincial and territorial winners receive $50,000 toward arena upgrades, with a chance to compete nationally for additional funding. The nomination period runs until March 1st.
Mayor Lynn Dollin said the Hockeyville campaign is an opportunity for residents to share memories and demonstrate why the arena remains an important gathering place for the community.
Town officials acknowledge the disruption caused by the closure but say addressing the structural issues now is essential to ensuring the facility can safely reopen in the future. Further updates will be shared on the Town’s website and social media channels as the project progresses.
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