Councillors here are leery of changing the name of the PMD Arena until they hear from citizens.
Consequently, they shot down a recommendation from the township’s parks, culture and recreation committee on Aug. 16.
The recommendation was that council “rename the arena to the Drayton Community Centre.”
Councillor Mike Downey, a member of the committee, first teed off on the proposal, noting nobody had been consulted.
“I don’t like renaming the arena … I don’t support that motion at all,” he said.
Mayor Bruce Whale wondered why the arena cannot be named PMD, which stands for the former municipalities that built it: Peel and Maryborough townships and Drayton.
Councillor Neil Driscoll said, “We’re Mapleton now.”
Downey said the argument at the committee was the building was getting a new sign after major renovations, so why not a new name.
Whale asked, “Where is the old sign?” He said it was taken out for the renovations, but he hopes it was not thrown out.
Downey said of the old name “You’re looking at three letters.”
Councillor Andy Knetsch said he could agree “with both councillors.”
Council then defeated the motion. Councillor Jim Curry was absent. But the discussion did not end with the vote.
Whale said council should inform the committee of its decision. He added staff should find a way to get people involved in choosing a name.
Downey wondered, “Is it an issue out there?”
Whale said some people may feel that Alma and Moorefield each now have their own community centres, and “Drayton has nothing.”
He said the township should “see if we want a new name.”
Downey said it might be good to erect a sign so visitors from out of town can find the community centre and arena easily. Driscoll noted there are larger buildings in that area.
Whale added there was some discussion about having a lighted sign, but he has heard nothing further on that issue.
The committee also noted the naming rights for the arena were vested with the Mapleton Arena eXpansion (MAX) committee that did the fundraising for the renovations and the MAX committee would have to formally give up the naming rights to council. The MAX committee had been willing to sell the naming rights to the arena for $75,000 but there were no takers.
Public works director Larry Lynch told the committee he asked for a cost to place the old name back onto the building.
