Slemon Park Arena becomes The Plex - Aug 2, 2011

Slemon Park Plex Inc. has signed a lease agreement with Slemon Park Corporation to operate the facility now known simply as The Plex.

Slemon Park Arena becomes The Plex

Nancy MacPhee/Journal Pioneer

Published on August 1, 2011

SUMMERSIDE - A non-profit organization has been formed to take over the operation of the former Slemon Park Arena.

Slemon Park Plex Inc. has signed a three-year lease agreement with Slemon Park Corporation to operate the facility now known simply as The Plex.

"We lease them a basic facility and then the Slemon Park Plex organization is responsible for making the ice and looking after everything to do with running an ice arena operation," said Slemon Park Corporation president Shawn McCarvill. "It\'s great to see the facility being put back to use."

The facility went unused for three to four years prior to 2010. Last year the complex was used by Evangeline area groups after the recreation centre in that community was destroyed by fire.

Xtreme Hockey also held a number of its hockey tournaments at the facility last year and the arena played host to a spring hockey league.

"A lot of people in the community saw its potential and realized what an asset it was. It is great to see this asset being available to the community once again," said McCarvill. "We established a three-year lease and there\'s a three-year option for it as well. We hope it will be a long-term arrangement. It\'s an excellent facility."

Summerside lawyer Jeff Leard is board president of the non-profit group.

An avid hockey fan and recreational player, Leard and others saw an opportunity to keep the facility open after Evangeline groups move into their new facility.

"We\'re attempting to run it at a break-even perspective to provide an opportunity for people in the Greater Summerside, West Prince, Prince County areas to make use of another recreational facility," said Leard.

Some upgrades to the facility were necessary.

The last extensive renovation of the arena was done in 1992 when Slemon Park Corporation took over its operation.

"We\'ve put in some new lights. We\'re working on the dressing rooms and getting the ice in and that sort of thing," explained Leard. "There are all new boards with the exception of a couple of spots where we have some signs out. The (ice-making) plant certainly is one of the things that we are working on as well."

He wouldn\'t comment on the cost of the improvements, adding fundraising is one avenue that would offset the amount.

"We\'re applying to attempt to get some other funds to help with that as well," added Leard. "A good majority of it will be fundraising and, of course, the use of the arena as far as ice rentals and that type of thing."

With a number of arenas in the area, staying competitive and attracting business is vital to the future of The Plex.

"That will certainly be the challenge," said Leard. "That\'s the reason that it is a three-year lease, to see how we can do it and make sure it is a viable option for everybody."

He sees both volunteers and paid staff helping run the facility. The logistics of its operation are still being worked out.

Ice is currently being made at The Plex with Xtreme Hockey on the ice starting Monday for its summer hockey school.

As to when the arena will be fully operational, Leard couldn\'t say.

"It will be demand driven in terms of how much it is open," he added.

nmacphee@journalpioneer.com

  From left, Jeff Leard, President of Slemon Park Plex Inc., and Shawn McCarvill, President of Slemon Park Corporation, stand in front the former Slemon Park Arena - now The Plex

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