Image

Engineers vision of Alvinston arena renos studied

April 3, 2023

Brooke-Alvinston residents got the first look at the next phase of plans for the Brooke-Alvinston Inwood Community Centre.

The Alvinston Optimist began a project to revamp the aging arena. It raised money for an outdoor pavilion and had plans to continue inside. Before the last election, the club hoped to start raising money to refurbish the dressing rooms. But there was concern the structure couldn’t handle the planned renos. So, council agreed to have new engineering drawings of for the project completed.

March 23, those designs came to council and members of the Optimist Club and the local user groups got their first look. Optimist Jamie Armstrong voiced concern that the plans did not include renovations which had already been completed and that the new plans didn’t reflect the design the Optimist promoted for the outdoor roof line.

Both Mayor Dave Ferguson and Clerk Administrator Janet Denkers emphasized the engineers wanted to see the original blueprints from the building and that may be why some of the interior was different.

Ferguson also stressed the Optimist and the user groups have time to review the plans and to give suggestions for improvements that the architect will incorporate into the design.

Brooke-Alvinston agreed to pay $15,000 toward the plans with the Optimist raising money for the approved renovations.

Armstrong hopes with the full plan approved by council, the club will be able to access grants and set up a community fund to raise the money.

Share This

Image
Front Page

York1, Chatham-Kent officials to meet this month

November 9, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent York 1 Environmental Services is hiring staff for it’s controversial Dresden facility and planning for a meeting with municipal leaders. The Mississauga company has plans to turn the former dump site into a modern landfill and construction and soil waste recycling centre. Community members have been fighting to stop the project along the banks of Molly’s Creek,

Read More

Image
Front Page

Amid wind and snow, Camlachie remembers

November 9, 2025

The Independent The crowd was slightly smaller – likely due to the cold wind and snow – as the Camlachie community gathered at the cenotaph to remember. The Sunday morning service, organized by the Huron Shores Optimist, included a walk to the cenotaph and the Act of Remembrance which included the Last Post played by Don VanderKlock. Twelve years ago,

Read More

Image
Front Page

Florence says thank you

November 9, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent The cold winds blew wet snow from the nearby trees as people from Florence paused to remember those who sacrificed with their service to their country. The village holds its moment of remembrance the Sunday before Remembrance Day each year. The event, now organized by the Dawn-Euphemia Firefighters, brings members of the community to honour those listed

Read More

Image
Front Page

North Lambton Girls win senior basketball title

November 7, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent The unbeaten North Lambton Eagles are Lambton-Kent Senior Girls’ basketball champions. The Eagles beat the John McGregor Panthers 53-31 Friday at the Forest high school. Alexis Wice led the Eagles with 17 points, Lainie Rintoul had nine and Lily Heynbergen had seven in the victory. Coaches Adam Willemse, Jacinda Sanders and Tara Petrus, all alumni and teachers

Read More