WMMA Renovations

RocketGirl · **Posted:** Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:34 pm

As some of you may not know, the WMMA is getting HUGE face lift right now.

From what I understand these are the plans:

The auditorium is completely gutted right now. I heard they are putting in a basketball court.

The front entrance, off Metcalfe Street, is going to be closed in and a new entrance at the back, off the parking lot, will be built. With it, will be a new lobby and bathrooms, which will be nice.

The ice surface itself is not changing. They aren't changing it in any way, shape, or form.

I heard that they're building 2 new dressing rooms to go with the 4 that are already there. With them, they are also building us a new dressing room, equipment room, trainer's room, coach's office, etc. The last I heard was that the team will be coming out onto the ice by the penalty box. Of course, that could change between now and when the arena is complete.

They are also renovating the upstairs. I heard that the plan was to move the floor back a few feet and then have glass all the way down to the new lobby, so they don't need the goalie cam anymore.

We're also getting a new clock, and it'll be in the middle of the rafters above the ice surface.

And since they're moving the clock, they are apparently putting seating at the back of the arena above the zamboni room.

They are also going to pave the entire parking lot which I am so looking forward to.

In the end, the old barn is getting a huge facelift. There's no word as to when it'll be done because they keep running into some complications which is causing delays. As such, we will be at the Gemini for quite a while.

It's also costing more than was originally anticipated, but if it means we can stay at the WMMA for many years to come, it is totally worth it in my book.

Anyways, thought I would give an update to those that aren't in the Strathroy area and haven't seen the construction.

The Masked Grappler · **Posted:** Mon Jul 12, 2010 2:10 pm

I saw the rubble last week. I was going to ask you what exactly they were doing.

RocketGirl · **Posted:** Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:00 pm

I musta read your mind Grappler.

It is a big pile of mess right now, but will be worth it in the end. I'll try to take some pictures on the weekend and post them.

Blades · **Posted:** Mon Jul 12, 2010 4:27 pm

Any idea how long you'll be at the Gemini? A few months? Half the season? Longer?
It sounds like a lot of work going on there and fits in with the 4 season in Ontario
Almost winter
Winter
Still winter
Construction.

RocketGirl · **Posted:** Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:36 pm

Due to the delays, we don't know. Initially it was the end of October. But for all of those that wonder why we're not out there permanently, you'll finally get to see why.

Cujo_31 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 12, 2010 11:59 pm

Since i am apart of the staff of the arena and also apart of the Strathroy Rockets hockey team I have been through the arena and got a chance to talk to many people about it including the mayor, the construction workers, and the managment of the rockets... We are looking to have it done asap...hopefully by christmas but no later.
It will Look Great and by the end of the season hopefully we can show the whole league our new facelifted arena by trying to win another championship.

HockeyFan1111 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:00 am

Don't get me wrong, I love the WMMA, but I just wonder why they didn't bother replacing it... Last year they spent how much on a new roof, this year they are spending a huge wad of money to replace everything but the small ice surface and a few exterior walls. They probably could have spent the same kind of money on a new hockey arena and actually had a full sized ice surface.

dooder · **Joined:** Tue Jun 07, 2005 1:49 pm **Posts:** 151

how u been in arina n talk 2 cunstrukshun crue....they dont let ne1 on tha site.....ur fulla sh** cujo

Chemo · **Joined:** Sat Nov 05, 2005 4:42 pm **Posts:** 102

dooder wrote:

how u been in arina n talk 2 cunstrukshun crue....they dont let ne1 on tha site.....ur fulla sh** cujo

and i think someone could use some summer school classes

dooder · **Joined:** Tue Jun 07, 2005 1:49 pm **Posts:** 151

u be seprized by tha skoolin i gots

FiveHole · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 7:53 am **Posts:** 1142

certain people are allowed on job sites go back and get an education

sam · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 9:02 pm

It would be good if they could do something with the seating and the jutouts in the seats,that block out your vision of the game ,,terrible ..
I dont see how they can improve the team benches with out bulldozing the whole mess down and start over again .poor planning and good money chasing bad .
SAM

theMIKEshow · **Joined:** Sun May 16, 2010 11:50 pm **Posts:** 22

Honestly I think that is the best thing you have ever said on here. Lambton Shores did the same thing though - dumped a bunch of money in the Thedford rink when they should have twined the new Forest rink in the first place.

The Masked Grappler · **Posted:** Sat Jul 31, 2010 2:45 am

Haters gonna hate.

theMIKEshow · **Joined:** Sun May 16, 2010 11:50 pm **Posts:** 22

Who's hatin? As always just speaking the truth and nothing but.

sam · **Posted:** Sat Jul 31, 2010 4:43 pm

I dont like to pee on any bodies projects ,but I do not see any thing good from the wma arena make over . Twenty 8 years ago after the Listowel arena disaster .StMays old barn was condemed ,as was Strathroy old barn .With a hundred thousand from wintario lottery StMarys decided to rebuild and junk the old barn ,Many people disagreed ,saying look Strathroy is rebuilding the old barn why cant we.It was the best decision we ever made .We got another 25000. from the agriculture fed. to put all the seating on one side so they could have shows of some kind ,which they never had ,our building may not be a John Labats center ,but we are happy campers .

sam

RocketGirl · **Posted:** Sat Jul 31, 2010 5:00 pm

Sam, the Town of Strathroy did decide to build a new arena quite a few years ago, with the intention that we'd move out there, and it's honestly a piece of crap.

sam · **Posted:** Mon Aug 02, 2010 9:04 am

Strathroy must be getting near city size ,I forget what the population is to make the change .
Stratford is a city ,has been for many years .
I see the lincolns sold their goaltender to Brampton ,Hinse.

sam

Blades · **Posted:** Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:15 am

sam,
I don't see any goaltender by the name of Hinse having played for St. Marys last year.
Would you elaborate on what you mean by him being sold to another team, please cause I can't find any goaltenders in the GOJHL by the name of Hinse. There is a Hince, but he is listed as having played for St. Thomas and he played forward.

sam · **Posted:** Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:58 pm

Sorry that is not his name ..this guy has been on and off the team for the last five years ,he is 6ft 7 tall and not very good .slips my mind ,must be the age factor
sam

RocketGirl · **Posted:** Mon Aug 02, 2010 9:44 pm

I think you're talking about Raymond. I found this article.

JESSE RAYMOND

The Brampton Capitals are pleased to welcome and to announce the signing of Jesse Raymond from Woodstock Ontario. Jesse is a 1991 birth year goaltender. He had a successful Minor Hockey Career in Woodstock and in Brantford. Went to the final camp of the under 17 camp in his draft year. In 2008/09 he played for the St Mary’s Lincoln’s Jr. B and was awarded the Western Conference goalie of the month, November 08, was a Rookie All-star selection GOHJL 08-09, received the top goalie award for the GOHJL 08-09.

In 2009 Jesse signed as a free agent with Sarnia Sting and split playing time between Sarnia Sting OHL and Sarnia Legionnaires GOJHL.

He could also be talking about Hemming, but I haven't found any articles about the Knights sending him to Brampton.

pegger · **Joined:** Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:37 pm **Posts:** 9

journal argus is reporting that hemmimg has been traded to brantford and marc nothers to the rockets, purportedly to be their starter.

pegger · **Joined:** Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:37 pm **Posts:** 9

further on the arena upgrade, it will still be like putting earrings on a sow.

HockeyFan1111 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 04, 2010 10:29 am

I agree that they are spending good money on dressing up an old girl, when they could likely just spend that much on a new arena. I wish they would have built a new arena. It's all politics though. Strathroy (10 years ago already) just built the Gemini, they have been talking for years of building an indoor swimming pool facility. The pool discussions keep causing such huge uproar by some people. If Strathroy started talking of bulldozing the WMMA to build a new arena, it would be another long battle of yelling at each other whether the town could afford it, or justify it. When you simply say "renovations" everyone is all happy that they are looking after their buildings.... regardless that it will cost as much as a new one.

RocketGirl · **Posted:** Thu Aug 05, 2010 9:31 am

I agree that they should have just bulldozed the WMMA and built it brand new, but at the same time, it would lose the character of being an old building. It may still lose that character a bit with these renos, but it'll still be the WMMA. And as I said before, renovating the old arena will keep us there for many many many years to come, which means not having to move out to the Gemini. It's bad enough we're gonna be there longer than usual. The only good thing about it is The Donna Burger!

FiveHole · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 7:53 am **Posts:** 1142

at least they are doing something with the arena good or bad. I agree it is good money not very well spent. Chatham has been in the works for 4 years trying to get a new arena complex and its an embarassement to their city in the hole that they play in now. Memorial Arena should have been a memory 10 years ago.

HockeyFan1111 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 05, 2010 11:04 am

Fivehole's comments exactly show why Strath did not attempt (again) to build another arena to replace the WMMA. It is way easier, politically, to renovate an old arena, than it is to start the process of building a new one. I do like the character of old arenas, WMMA specifically, but that arena is too small. The ice surface is not large enough, and there is just barely enough seating. In playoffs, there simply is not enough seating in WMMA. I know with these renovations, they are gaining some seating, but I'm not sure it is even very much.

The Masked Grappler · **Posted:** Thu Aug 05, 2010 1:54 pm

I'd imagine it would be pretty tough to get a new arena built when they just built a new one a few years ago. It was probably renovate or nothing.

sam · **Posted:** Sat Aug 07, 2010 12:08 am

The old Chatham arena is a fire trap and I am surprised it has not been condemned years ago That old structure would go up like a match box with all that paint .Can you imagine the panic in playoffs with that building full of people .
Off topic a bit ,But I see Mike Modano moving to Detroit ,They said he grew up in the area .He looked real pleased with all his grins .Big change for him being the leader now taking the pressure off as maybe fourth or fith man to depend on .hope he does well .
sam

theMIKEshow · **Joined:** Sun May 16, 2010 11:50 pm **Posts:** 22

Chatham's rink is great other then the visitors' dressing room hall/area and the dressing rooms themselves - terrible. Maybe seats would be better then those wood benches but that's about all I'd change there.

I look forward to seeing the changes in Sarnia - new boards/glass. These upgrades helped in St. Marys and Chatham. Don't forget the actual game playing area is rather important. The lobby and viewing areas may be too but is really important to have a good ice surface, benches, dressing rooms etc - after all we are there to see a hockey game. Strathroy has a terrible ice surface and players benches, the dressing rooms were ok but the scheduling was brutal as we would always have to wait too long before the other ice users would vacate the rooms which leads to a big mess of equipment and people in the hallway. I hope at least that gets fixed.

From the visiting team standpoint I would say Sarnia, St. Thomas, St. Marys, Leamington, LaSalle, Lambton Shores and London are pretty good/comfortable to come to. Port Colborne, Strathroy and Brantford not so much.

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WMMA Renovations

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