Recreation Centre history

"In 1960, a By-law was passed to develop a new Town Center for the rapidly growing municipality. Over the following six years, land was assembled from Farms 16 and 17, stretching from Beaconsfield Boulevard to Beaurepaire Drive.

This, combined with the existing municipal properties, provided a centrally located site, of more than thirty acres. While land acquisition was proceeding, a committee was formed to assist in planning for the center.

R.M. Gibb, Lion Perras, Myron McBride, Ross Chamberlain, Bob Gandey, and J.J. Robinson were mandated to approach each social and sporting group to obtain their recommendations. The Town Council stressed that the development of the center should should proceed at a pace in keeping with its financial resources.

The pace of development did not satisfy some observers. In 1968, a group of civic-minded sporting enthusiasts incorporated the "Beaconsfield Community Arena Association". The organizers were Cliff Brandt, Rod Foster, Jack Grossman, Chrles Hayward, Bob Muddiman, Howard Patch, and Jim Todd.

They proposed to establish and operate a community arena or rink for ice or roller skating, curling, hockey and other athletic sports, games, exercises or pastimes. The amount of property which the corporation may hold is limited to $500.000. A campaign was launched to sell interest free debentures to "Mr. And Mrs. Citzen".

Over $243,000 was subscribed. An additional $18,000 was received in donations, and a balance of $85,000 was to be obtained through public financing. A by-law was passed on July 21, 1969 supporting the scheme. However, the decision was challenged and forced to a referendum.

A strong propaganda campaign was launched by a group "concerned residents". Arguing that taxes on properties would increase by 2.3" per hundred dollar evaluation, they successfully defeated the By-law. Only 42% of eligible voters cast their ballot. The donated funds were later passed on the hockey board.

The need for the facility to continued to be evident. Four years later, a new project was launched under the auspices of the City. Herb Linder and Councillors Doug Pollock and Alex Soroka guided the project. It was a more ambitious scheme that included swimming facilities, a gymnasium and a hockey arena.

The projected cost was in excess of $1,500,000 and was to be financed by the City (By-laws Nos. 384 and 420), together with a $100,000 grant from 1629 voters with a property valuation of $43,000,000 voted in favour and 858 voters with a valuation of $23,000,000 voted against. About 50% of the eligible voters cast their ballot. During the construction, a large section of the steel structure collapsed. It was quickly replaced by the subcontractor.

The official opening of the Beaconsfield Recreation Center was held on March 22, 1975. Figure skating, hockey, and swimming events were followed by a dance. Mayor Edwin Briggs welcomed the guests and Charles S. Lafontaine was Master of Ceremonies."

Text taken from Beaconsfield and Beaurepaire: A chronicle of the development of the City of Beaconsifeld and the district of Beaurepaire by Robert L. Baird and Gisèle Hall, 1998, p.97