Some renovations at N.S. arena not sitting well with spectators
Allan Smith knows the Sackville Arena. Finding his way through the tunnels and rooms is second nature.
Lately Smith, who is the president of the Lake District Recreation Association, has been overseeing $800,000 renovations, including a new refrigeration system, a heated viewing area and locker rooms. For the most part, those who use the facility like what they see.
“It’s about time, I think, that they put some money into this place. It’s been here a long time and it has been ageing a little bit, so I think it’s going to be a good thing,” says Bob MacGillvary, who has been playing hockey at the arena since in opened in the early 1970s.
Some renovations, like the new backrest on the bleachers, aren’t sitting well with spectators.
“Omg, they are sooo bad, absolutely awful, and the worst thing to happen to the arena,” are a sample of some of the online comments.
“I know people…like to complain. If something changes, they like to make a comment, I have no problem with that,” Smith says.
According to Smith, the changes were necessary
“We had to limit the people climbing down willy-nilly anywhere they liked,” he says.
Three people who fell on the old benches sued the arena. As a result, their insurance rates quadrupled.
“We were at $30,000 and after the third claim it was $120,000 and after the third claim the insurance company said if you have another claim you won’t have insurance,” Smith says.
And without insurance?
“The building would close, that means HRM would have to take it over and that means that cost would go through the roof.”
Smith hopes concerns will ease overtime. The hope is the renovations will continue to allow the Sackville Arena to serve the community like it has been doing for the last 50 years.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Cybersecurity incident' shuts down London Drugs stores across Western Canada
All 79 locations of pharmacy and retail chain London Drugs were shut down Sunday after it was the victim of a “cybersecurity incident.”
CDC says it's identified 1st documented cases of HIV transmitted through cosmetic needles
Three women diagnosed with HIV after getting 'vampire facial' procedures at an unlicensed medical spa are believed to be the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles.
Canucks pull off comeback, top Predators 4-3 in OT
Elias Lindholm scored 1:02 into overtime and the Vancouver Canucks came all the way back to beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Aerial photos show wide devastation left by a deadly tornado in China's Guangzhou
Aerial photos posted by Chinese state media on Sunday showed wide devastation in part of the southern city of Guangzhou after a tornado swept through the day before, killing five people, injuring dozens others and damaging more than 140 buildings.
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Australian prime minister describes domestic violence as a 'national crisis' after protests
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday described domestic violence as a 'national crisis' after thousands rallied around the country against violence toward women.
Casey DeSmith won’t start Game 4 for the Canucks
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Vancouver Canucks when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series Sunday.
Putin likely didn't order death of Russian opposition leader Navalny, U.S. official says
U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely didn't order the death of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny in February, according to an official familiar with the determination.