Arena Fundraising
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.
Generations of stories live here. Let’s make new ones together.
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.
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.
Why is this being done?
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.
Where are we in the fundraising process?
To prevent any further closures, the arena repair work is scheduled to occur April 2026 with a target re-opening date of October 2026.
Currently, the committee is in the early, groundwork stages —the initial phases that occur before any broad community fundraising begins. These first phases are about doing things the right way, not the rushed way.
● Phase 1: Budget Confirmation & Grant Readiness:
This is the foundation stage. No fundraising is happening here. The goal is simple: get the numbers right, confirm what’s truly needed, and line up external funding opportunities so the community isn’t asked to carry more than it should.
● Phase 2: Large Local Donor Engagement:
Phase 2 focuses on early support from a small number of established community partners, approached privately and respectfully. This quiet, relationship‑based work helps build the initial stability needed before opening the campaign to the wider public.
During these phases, most of the work is behind the scenes: planning, confirming costs, applying for grants, and building early support so the broader community campaign can be smaller, clearer, and more realistic.
A full public campaign doesn’t begin until Phase 5, when donation portals open and the community contribution target is finalized and shared openly.
This careful, step‑by‑step approach ensures transparency, minimizes risk, and avoids asking residents for support until every other funding avenue has been explored. Read more about the phases within the Fundraising Strategy.
Donation and Sponsorship Details
We’re still shaping the full details of how donations and sponsorships will be recognized, but here’s what we can share right now.
The sponsorship program is intentionally simple and humble. This arena belongs to the community - all of us - and any recognition offered will reflect that. We are working through thoughtful, time‑limited acknowledgments that honour generosity without overwhelming the character of a building so many people feel connected to. Nothing too flashy or that changes the spirit of the space. We’re committed to keeping this place rooted in who we are.
-
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.
● Community Builder ($5,000–$15,000): Support for shared, functional spaces. Recognition is simple, time‑limited, and rooted in gratitude.
● Arena Steward ($15,000–$50,000): Backing key Phase 1 repair work. Acknowledged through a modest plaque and project‑related signage.
● Legacy Partner ($50,000+): Helping repair major systems or structural components. Recognition includes a thoughtful, longer‑form acknowledgment that highlights the real community impact of your support.
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. Community donations of any denomination will always be gladly accepted! Our online donation portal will be coming soon. More details on the public fundraising campaign will be released in Phase 5.
More Questions? More Answers!
See below for a list of frequently asked questions about the fundraising campaign and arena.
-
What is the fundraising goal — and what exactly are we paying for?
As a community, we need to be clear about our goal and what it supports. The target is $5 million, and every dollar raised goes directly toward upgrading the Haldimand Community Memorial Arena and Recreation Complex. The first project is about the ice pad. This isn’t about upgrades or extras - it’s about keeping a well‑loved community space functional, and open.
Here’s what that funding covers:
● A full repair of the rink floor - new in‑floor cooling system, and a new rink slab.
● Arena boards and glass brought up to proper height so the space is safe and usable for everyone.
● A new header system to support the updated in‑floor lines.
This essential work is currently quoted at $3.75 million.This may change up or down, depending on any issues while the old floor is removed.
If additional funds come in, they’re used responsibly and transparently.
First, they help cover inflation or unexpected costs tied to the rink repair - because surprises happen, and we want to be prepared. Anything beyond that will go towards future Capitol projects for the Haldimand Community Memorial Arena and Recreation Complex. This is about stewardship, clarity, and taking care of a community space that has taken care of us for generations.
The arena is functional right now, why does it need to be fixed?
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.
Why doesn’t the arena generate enough income to break even?
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.
Who uses the arena? Are they tax payers?
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.
Where do I make a donation or who can I contact?
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 at: ahtwpfundraising@gmail.com
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.
You may also reach out to Township staff at fundraising@ahtwp.ca
Call Township staff 905-349-2822 Ext. 36
-
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 Portal and can be easily searched under the calendar tab.
DONATE
TODAY!
To donate or discuss sponsorship options connect with us below!
Email Township staff: fundraising@ahtwp.ca
Email Fundraising Committee: ahfundraising@gmail.com
Call Township staff: 905-349-2822 Ext. 36
Coming soon! Online Donation Portal