A once-popular east-end arena is getting a second life, thanks to a provincial investment of up to $1 million announced Thursday. Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport Neil Lumsden and Minister of Housing and Affairs and local MPP Rob Flack were in London to reveal the funding, which will go toward the transformation of the decommissioned Silverwood Arena into a modern, year-round community hub. “It’s the centre point of a lot of families,” said Lumsden. “You need a place to go, whether it’s hockey, recreation, or swimming. Not only does it bring community together, but it adds value to youth as they grow up.” The Silverwood facility, originally built in 1963 and shut down in 2018, is currently about 60 per cent through its design phase. Construction is expected to begin in 2025, with completion targeted for 2027. Once complete, the redeveloped facility will include a dry sports pad, accessible washrooms and entrances, new HVAC and roofing systems, and flexible multi-use community spaces. “This investment will help us transition Silverwood into a year-round community centre,” said John-Paul McGonigle, the City of London’s director of recreation and sport. “It aligns well with the goals of the province’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund.” City officials emphasized the project’s focus on community wellness, sustainability, and economic resilience. The design incorporates energy-efficient systems and accessibility features to ensure the facility meets modern standards. The city said Silverwood Arena will offer a wide range of programs, rentals, youth sports and events, serving not only the surrounding Hamilton Road neighbourhood but the wider London area as well. “A big day for the community. It’s great to see this investment, in an aging facility,” said Ward 1 Councillor Hadleigh McAlister. “This means so much to the community. Generations of people at Hamilton Road have used it. I mean, it’s not just for this area, obviously, this will serve London because we have a big demand for recreational facilities.”
