Arena Fundraising
Generations of stories live here. Let’s make new ones together.
The Haldimand Community Memorial Arena Fundraising Campaign is about keeping a valued community centre space, usable, and open and operating for years to come - nothing more, nothing less. For decades, this arena has been one of the few places in Alnwick/Haldimand where everyone comes together: families, young athletes, seniors, service clubs, and visitors. Even those who don’t use the arena regularly know its role as a gathering point and a symbol of community connection.
The repairs being proposed are not luxury upgrades, but will keep the ice surface and centre operational for years to come. They are essential repairs required to keep the doors open, maintain basic operations, and ensure the building remains open for the public. Without these repairs, the risk isn’t inconvenience - it’s closure.
As a memorial arena dedicated to Veterans, maintaining this facility also preserves an important piece of local history and honours the people it was built to recognize. Every contribution, large or small, helps protect a community asset that serves all residents, regardless of age, interest, or background. Supporting these repairs is simply about taking care of what we have so the community doesn’t lose a space that has quietly supported generations.
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The arena floor is past its end of life and may fail at any moment. Fixing it is the only way to keep the arena available to everyone. This campaign is not about an upgrade, but an urgent rescue to keep the space functional and doors open.
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Currently, the committee is working through Phases 5-6, which focuson the community participation phase and public fundraising events.
Community donations of any denomination will always be gladly accepted! Our online donation portal will be coming soon. If you are eager to provide your donation today, please visit Town Hall where we will gladly accept any donation big or small. If you are hoping to discuss options, the committee and municipal staff are ready to speak to any willing donors!
Read more about the phases within the Fundraising Strategy.
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We’ve shaped our sponsorship approach around what truly matters: caring for a shared space that has held our stories, our kids and our community for generations. This isn’t about marketing or visibility. It’s about showing up for one another and investing in a place where the community comes together.
Our Value Framework: Every contribution is framed around community benefit - not branding, not promotion. Recognition focuses on what your support makes possible: safer spaces, longer lasting infrastructure, and continued public access for everyone who comes through those doors.
Why This Arena Matters:
Where the community comes together - every season, every reason. From hockey and public skating to broomball, ball hockey, birthday parties, pickleball, Canada Day events and more!
Small‑town spirit lives here, stories on every wall. Distinct from large urban arenas. Generations of local stories.
A memorial that deserves our respect - and our care.
Affordable, available, for everyone - just belonging.
A Case for Support:
Fundraising Priorities and
Measurable Impacts of your
Investment.
Arena Vision Donation Guide
Arena Fundraising
Strategy
This strategy defines and outlines tools needed to launch a successful fundraising campaign. It serves as a dynamic and evolving roadmap for the campaign rollout.
Sponsorship Levels and Recognition Tiers
Every contribution, regardless of size, plays an important role in helping preserve and strengthen this important
community space.
More Questions? More Answers!
See below for a list of frequently asked questions about the fundraising campaign and arena.
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As a community, we need to be clear about our goal and what it supports. The current project focus is the Essential Arena Repairs, line itemed at $2,332,000, which represents the initial work required to keep the arena operational and the doors open. At its core, this effort is about maintaining a well-loved community space so it remains functional.
Here’s what that funding covers:
A full repair of the rink floor - new in‑floor cooling system, and a new rink slab.
A new header system to support the updated in‑floor lines.
Removing the floor gives us a one-time opportunity to repair the rink-top components efficiently including the arena boards and glass brought up to proper height so the space is safe and usable for everyone. More specifics can be found in the Arena Vision Donation Guide.
As a committee, our goal is set at $5 million, reflecting a commitment that extends beyond the immediate Essential Arena Repairs. While the current focus is on keeping the arena operational, these funds will support future capital projects specifically for the Haldimand Memorial Community Arena and Recreational Complex, as directed by Council. This is about stewardship, clarity, and taking care of a community space that has taken care of us for generations.
To learn more, read our Arena Vision Donation Guide.
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The arena is working for now, but only because of temporary patches. In October 2024, short term temporary work was done. The only long‑term solution is to replace the floor and all the cooling lines and header.
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It’s a fair question, and one a lot of people wonder about. The truth is, municipal arenas rarely pay for themselves - not here, not anywhere. They’re designed as community spaces, not profit‑making businesses.
Think of them the way we think about libraries, parks, or playgrounds: places meant to be affordable, and open to everyone. User fees help, but they’re never meant to cover the full cost. The rest is intentionally subsidized so families, seniors, youth programs, and community groups aren’t priced out.
This isn’t a sign that the arena is failing. It’s a sign that it’s doing exactly what it was built to do - serve the whole community, not just those who can afford full cost.
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According to the Needs Assessment Report, the arena serves a mix of local residents and people from neighbouring communities. And that’s actually a strength, not a drawback. When people from outside the township use the arena, they bring in rental fees, tournament revenue, and program participation that help offset operating costs. Their involvement reduces the financial burden on local taxpayers while keeping the facility vibrant, busy, and well‑used. In other words, the arena isn’t just a local resource - it’s a county one. And that broader use helps keep it affordable and sustainable for the people who live right here.
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Haldimand Memorial Arena and Recreation Complex Fundraising Ad Hoc Committee meetings are open to the public. The committee typically meets the first Wednesday of every month. The upcoming schedule, agendas and minutes can be found on the Council Portal and can be easily searched under the calendar tab.
You can also subscribe to receive Committee agendas and minutes right to your inbox!
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You can reach out to the Fundraising Committee members who will be happy to discuss fundraising donations and sponsorships. They can also guide you on next steps. The fundraising committee can be reached by email.
Stay donation smart! Fundraising committee members will never accept cash, cheques, or any other donations on behalf of the Township. All monetary contributions must be submitted directly to Township staff at Town Hall.
Call Township staff 905-349-2822 Ext. 36
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You can reach out to the Fundraising Committee members who will be happy to discuss your event and other details. The fundraising committee can be reached by email.
Stay donation smart! Fundraising committee members will never accept cash, cheques, or any other donations on behalf of the Township. All monetary contributions must be submitted directly to Township staff at Town Hall.
Call Township staff 905-349-2822 Ext. 36
Rink Slab Replacement Project Update
September 2026
Exciting progress continues at the Haldimand Community Memorial Arena in Grafton as work moves forward on the replacement of the arena’s ice pad and related upgrades.
This project is more than an investment in a building — it is an investment in the experiences, memories and opportunities that bring our community together.
The current project includes a new rink slab and refrigeration system, new boards and glass, and a low-emissivity ceiling to help insulate the building. Together, these improvements will help create a better ice surface, improve energy efficiency, extend the ice season, and enhance the overall arena experience for the many residents, families, athletes and community groups who use the facility.
We’re on schedule to have the ice in for the 2026–2027 ice season, marking an exciting new chapter for this much-loved community facility!
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![Removal of Old Boards and Glass]()
Removal of Old Boards and Glass
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![Removal of Old Boards and Glass]()
Removal of Old Boards and Glass
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![Removal of Old Concrete Bleachers]()
Removal of Old Concrete Bleachers
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![Removal of Players Benches]()
Removal of Players Benches
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![Old Arena Rink Slab]()
Old Arena Rink Slab
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![New Rink Slab Base with Insulation]()
New Rink Slab Base with Insulation
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![Preparation of Rink Slab Base, new surrounding concrete]()
Preparation of Rink Slab Base, new surrounding concrete
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![New Refrigeration Pipes]()
New Refrigeration Pipes
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![New Refrigeration Pipes]()
New Refrigeration Pipes
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![Completed In-Floor Refrigeration and Concrete Being Poured]()
Completed In-Floor Refrigeration and Concrete Being Poured
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![Concrete Floor Finishing]()
Concrete Floor Finishing
