Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Letters to the Editor

LETTER: End of an era with demolition of W.J. McMeeken Centre

It was not only a rink, but a community centre in it’s prime: dog shows, forestry trade shows, and apparently even weddings were held there, writes Norm Fera
Letter to the Editor
20230329mcmeekendemo
The McMeeken Centre is remembered by a former employee as more than an ice rink. Photo supplied

SooToday received the following letter in remembrance of the McMeeken centre from a former employee.

Today while driving by the McMeeken Centre I noticed the facility was being demolished.

I took a few moments to reflect given my former involvement with the facility from 1987 to 2017 as Concession Supervisor and Manager of Community Centres.

While it was well known that facility was decades beyond its useful life, somehow maintenance staff kept the facility operational until 2023. Koodos to the maintenance crew.

The McMeeken Centre was not only a rink but a community centre in it’s prime: dog shows, forestry trade shows, and apparently even weddings were held there. The facility once even had a catering kitchen in it.

In the background a wonderful new facility will soon be in full view from Goulais Avenue.

With the rising cost of participating in organized sports, it would be nice to see some drop in programming added by the city,  such as shinny hockey so that any child in the community has the opportunity to enjoy the this great new facility and play ice sports.

Norm Fera
Sault Ste, Marie

What's next?

If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.

Discussion