Sunderland Memorial Arena Renovation Project Update - July 27, 2026

The Sunderland Memorial Arena Renovation Project continues to make excellent progress. As one of the largest capital projects undertaken by the Township of Brock in many years, this ambitious redevelopment was always anticipated to be a complex undertaking, with an expected construction timeline of approximately 12 to 18 months.  Staff have and continue to work closely with the Sunderland Lions on project status and assessment needs.

While early schedules reflected the shorter end of that range, the realities of renovating a facility originally built in 1977 have presented opportunities to address several unforeseen conditions and improve the building beyond the original scope. Much like any major renovation of an older building, once walls and systems are opened up, unique challenges and opportunities for long-term improvements are often uncovered. 

Throughout construction, several important enhancements have been incorporated into the project, including: 

• Relocation of an existing hydro pole and reconnection of services to facilitate construction of the new dressing room addition. 

• Construction of a new pre-engineered steel extension connecting seamlessly to the existing facility. 

• Installation of additional structural steel beams and columns to support the second-floor kitchen and washrooms following modifications to the main floor layout and creation of new washroom facilities. 

• Upgrades to the sewage system and other existing underground infrastructure to improve long-term reliability. 

• Enhancements to the watermain connection, improving both fire protection capabilities and domestic water supply throughout the facility. 

While the construction site is closed to the public, the Township has also taken advantage of the opportunity to accelerate several facility improvements that had originally been slated for 2028-2029 capital projects. By completing this work now, we will avoid future disruptions to arena operations and user groups.  

These additional improvements include: 

• A new roof over the new ice surface

• A new rooftop HVAC system 

• A new efficient furnace unit 

With the major structural, servicing, and building upgrades underway, and provided no additional unforeseen conditions arise, substantial completion of this project is currently anticipated by the end of October. 

Following construction, several critical steps must still occur, and staff have allocated 4-5 weeks in November to train staff on the new ice plant equipment, install ice and complete any remaining finishing touches. 

We are pleased to confirm at this time that ice allocation for local user groups is expected to commence on December 7^th, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Sunderland Memorial Arena and the community it serves. 

The Sunderland Lions and Township are currently working on Grand Opening celebrations, prior to ice usage, and information on the date and event details will be coming out shortly.

The Township appreciates the patience, understanding, and support of residents, user groups, and project partners throughout this transformative project. The investment being made today will provide a modernized, more accessible, and more sustainable recreation facility that will serve the community for many years to come. 

Project highlights and pictures of construction updates can always be found at www.townshipofbrock.ca/sunderlandarena.