The arena in Wembley was hit by a fire back in June 2020 (Photo: Source Energy Arena & Recreation Centre)

By Shane Clausing

Wembley

Wembley Arena Rebuild Committee launches 50/50 to help repair damaged arena

Mar 1, 2021 | 2:24 PM

Wembley’s Arena Rebuild Committee has launched a 50/50 campaign with the hopes of raising $10,000 to put towards repairing the Source Energy Arena and Recreation Centre.

It had significant damage this past June after a fire broke out at the facility.

The 50/50 is being held online, which Renee Corrigal, the Rebuild Committee Chair says really helps their fundraising efforts.

“We have a long road ahead of us and any fundraising we can do goes toward this rebuild and this is just one of the things that we have rolled out.”

Some of the past fundraisers the Rebuild Committee has organized include a ‘You’ve been a Nomad’ event and a silent auction.

At this time, the committee still doesn’t have a final cost on how much money will be needed to repair the arena, other than that it’ll be a significant amount. Corrigal tells EverythingGP almost everything in the facility needs to be replaced or cleaned.

The committee has also applied for various provincial grants.

While the fundraising continues, Corrigal says repairing the arena is vital for the community.

“We are the heart of the community. There are hockey and skating, however, we have a whole other side. We have a community gym, a concession, a multi-purpose room with private events, we had many different user groups coming into that building and they’ve all been displaced now. It is very important to get this (arena) back up and give our community a place to go.”

If all goes well fundraising-wise, the committee is hopeful they’ll be able to re-open the building in some capacity by October 2021.

You can purchase 50/50 tickets to help the arena by clicking here.