Residents urge action to save Blackstock Arena as Council reviews options

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

SCUGOG: Blackstock Arena, a community cornerstone since 1937, faces an uncertain future, as the Township of Scugog delays a decision on its aging refrigeration system. A staff report, recommending the purchase and installation of a portable ammonia refrigeration plant, originally expected before council in October, has been postponed until November 10th, leaving residents and user groups worried about the arena’s fate.

The uncertainty surrounding the arena sparked a passionate plea from Mike Blakey, of Blackstock Minor Hockey, who addressed council earlier this year.

“Our association has seen steady growth over the past three seasons, since coming back from the shutdown,” Mr. Blakey explained. “We’ve got nearly 200 kids enrolled, and our goal is to get back to over 350, like we had before COVID. Families choose Blackstock, they know it’s close to home, it’s affordable, and it builds community.”

Mr. Blakey warned, losing access to the Blackstock Arena would force families to look for more costly programs in Port Perry, Uxbridge, or Manvers.

“We’re not just talking about a building,” he added. “We’re talking about a place where kids learn teamwork, confidence, and how to be part of something bigger than themselves. Losing this ice would be devastating.”

Longtime community advocate, Sandra Frey echoed these concerns, in a letter shared with The Standard.

“Without the immediate purchase and installation of a portable ammonia refrigeration plant, the Blackstock Arena will cease to exist,” Ms. Frey wrote. “We will lose the hub which has sat at the heart of our community since 1937. The Blackstock Arena is historical, unique, and charming. People love to use our ice pad!”

The arena is home to several long-standing organizations, including the Blackstock Curling Club (75 years), the Blackstock Skating Club (35 years), and the Blackstock Minor Hockey League (25 years). Programs such as Learn to Skate, Shinny, Stick and Puck, and public skating sessions regularly fill the arena to capacity, while local and visiting groups rent ice time year-round.

The arena’s future is in question, due to an aging Freon-based ice plant which has required repeated repairs. Shawna Cornish, Manager of Parks and Recreation, outlined several options in her September staff report. Council could do nothing and continue operating within the current plan until it fails, while pursuing grants for future upgrades. Consequently, staff recommended purchasing and installing a portable ammonia refrigeration plant, at a cost of approximately $600,800, a turn-key solution which would: replace the existing cooling tower and heat exchangers, reduce annual repair costs, and be ready for the 2026-2027 season.

Other options considered include: installing a permanent ammonia plant, capable of supporting an NHL-sized ice pad, at over $1 million; or constructing a tensioned fabric (“Sprung”) structure beside the existing arena, which was a multi-million-dollar proposal, requiring grants and debenture funding. Leasing a portable unit was also investigated but deemed unfeasible.

During the, September 8th, General Purpose and Administration Committee meeting, council discussed ice pad capacity, usage rates, accessibility, revenues, and alignment with the Asset Management Plan. Members noted, none of the options were currently budgeted and referred the matter to the Blackstock Recreation Advisory Committee for additional feedback, with a follow-up report expected later this autumn.

Financial data, presented in the staff report, showed a steady increase in ice revenue over recent seasons, accompanied by a corresponding decrease in tax-supported costs. Residents argue, the arena is more than just a building, it’s a hub which supports local businesses, strengthens community connections, and preserves decades of shared history.

“It is the heartbeat of our community,” Ms. Frey said. “People from near and far come to the Blackstock Arena. Losing it would be devastating not just for recreation, but for the sense of connection and heritage it represents.”