Operations of Merritton Centennial Arena set to transition from Lions Club to City

Lions Club votes not to extend lease agreement with City after nearly 45 years

After operating the Merritton Arena autonomously through a lease agreement originally dating back to 1979, the Lions Club of Merritton membership recently approved a motion to not renew the lease agreement beyond this year’s ice season.

The City of St. Catharines has allocated funding in its 2023 operating budget to support arena operations when the lease ends at the end of May. Lions Club treasurer Keith Brown, says it’s a “bittersweet decision” for the Lions, who have historical ties to its construction in 1967, when it was originally built as an outdoor rink.

“We’re proud to have been a part of the history of the rink since day one, but the timing is right for this. The business climate of arena operations has changed dramatically since we first started this partnership with the City,” said Brown. “As we look at our long-term vision as a club, we’ve made a decision to focus our efforts on building on the many other ways we are supporting the community.”

The arena was built in 1967 as an open-air rink with assistance from the Lions, Merritton Legion, Merritton Athletic Association, Merritton Volunteer Fire Department and the community at large. While the City has shared costs for some repairs and capital expenses – including a recent $2.2 million upgrade that assisted with accessibility issues, the Lions continued to support its operations financially since construction, including funding to assist with the arena enclosure in 1969, as well as investing in renewal and upgrades to keep the arena operating.

“The City is proud of the partnership we’ve had with the Lions, and we’re thankful for the significant contributions they’ve made to our community, including the operation of the arena for nearly 45 years. A special thanks to Lion Geoff Crane who volunteered as arena manager for the last 40 years,” said City CAO David Oakes. “The City will ensure the arena continues to be open and available for the community to use in the future. It was an important piece of the arena strategy City Council approved in 2019.”

While the City has included $250,000 in the approved 2023 operating budget to support the operation change, it will be reviewing options on how best to continue to operate the key recreational asset. Information will be coming to City Council as the process evolves.

The Lions Club continues to operate the Merritton Community Centre, located adjacent to the arena, as part of a separate lease agreement. The City and Lions are negotiating an extension of the lease for the centre, while also looking at additional opportunities to make it an even more vibrant facility.

“We value what the Lions have brought to our community through the arena and the community centre, and we look forward to continuing that partnership,” said Phil Cristi, the City’s Director of Community, Recreation and Culture Services. “The City is looking forward to working with the Lions to ensure that the centre remains a vibrant space that will continue to serve the surrounding community for years to come.”