(Photo courtesy of morguefile.com)(Photo courtesy of morguefile.com)
Chatham

Bothwell Looks to Save Arena

Bothwell community members are hoping for more time to find ways to increase their arena use and viability.

The closure of Bothwell Arena is one of a number of service cut Chatham-Kent staff have recommended. The closure of the arena would create annual savings of to save $78,093.

Bothwell Community Boosters Chair Jackie Beatty says they want the arena open the rest of the year while they brainstorm solutions.

"Organizers have already formed a focus group, they've already gathered statistics and have some ideas on how to turn the rink back into a community hub rather than just an ice surface."

Beatty adds some of those ideas would see the arena used more often in the summer months.

"We could put fitness equipment in there, we could go back to having ball hockey or roller skating. We don't have anywhere for kids to go, so a youth centre would be useful as well."

The group is planning to give a deputation on the first night of Chatham-Kent budget deliberations, scheduled for January 26.

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