By Salmon Arm Mayor Alan Harrison
The idea of building the Salmon Arm Memorial Arena was first conceived by the Salmon Arm Co-operative in 1946. Their dream was to build a memorial to honor local veterans.
Before the Co-operative could start to build an arena, they had to find a way to fund it. They decided on showing movies and using admission fees to accumulate the necessary funds.
Unfortunately, they found that the Rex Theatre on Alexander Street was old and beyond repair. So, the Co-operative purchased the land across the street and built the Salmar Classic Theatre. Monies to build the theatre came from Co-op members, who each paid $25 to join.
The theatre opened in 1949 and was transferred to a new entity called the Salmon Arm Community Association, later named the Salmar Community Association.
Three-quarters of the cost of the Memorial Arena was raised over the next six years and construction, which started in 1955, was completed in 1958.
Initially, there was not enough money to put in the ice plant, so for the first 3 years the building was used for other activities including the fall fair. In 1961, ice went into the Memorial Arena, which served as our arena through 2001 when Sun Wave (Shaw) Centre opened. This was the same year the Salmon Arm Minor Hockey Association was formed.
Forty years of figure skating, minor hockey and adult hockey was enjoyed in the Memorial Arena.
Many of us learned to skate there.
The old barn (as it was affectionately known) was the home to many of the great teams of Salmon Arm. The First Nations hockey tournaments held each March attracted teams from all over Western Canada. In addition, SAMHA produced several provincial champions. In addition, the Salmon Arm Aces, Totems and many commercial hockey teams played here. Salmon Arm Figure Skating Club held large annual shows, highlighting their skilled skaters.
The Memorial Arena is full of memories. It is now almost 70 years old.
Read more: City of Salmon Arm to close indoor arena during snowfall
Read more: Rugby club seeks alternative to winter closure of Salmon Arm arena
The City of Salmon Arm purchased the building from the Shuswap Lake Agricultural Association (Fall Fair), in 2018. SASLAA was challenged by the ongoing maintenance and repair of the aging building.
Recently, noticeable changes in the structural form of the building, deterioration of support columns and the north wall, resulted in the Shuswap Recreation Society having a preliminary structural assessment done. This assessment, completed by a structural engineer, indicated the structural integrity of the building may be at risk in the winter months due to snow load.
The two reasons for closing the facility are safety and liability. Safety of course is our number-one priority. With a report that indicates a possible safety risk, the city had no choice but to close it. Secondly, we could not put the taxpayers at risk of liability. If we allowed people to continue to use the building, and something were to happen, the costs to the taxpayers could be significant.
The timing is poor. Soccer, rugby and baseball rely on the Memorial Arena for their winter programming. The Shuswap Recreation Society is working with these groups to find alternate locations to continue their activities. We know that auditoriums and gymnasiums are not as well suited as the turfed Memorial, so we understand the frustration and disappointment of these groups as they adapt their programs.
Moving ahead, a detailed engineering report is being commissioned on the building, so we know what the costs of making the building safe might be, or if future planning must consider a new indoor facility. Once this information is known, we will engage with the community, so that all input can be considered.
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Alan Harrison is the mayor of Salmon Arm.