News release

For immediate release

Gold Arena at Pearkes reopens today

Saanich, BC – The Gold Arena at G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre reopened today with a new ice slab and rink upgrades.

“I’m thrilled to welcome the community back to the Gold Arena in time for the fall 2021 ice season,” said G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre Manager Graham Thomson. “The slab replacement and other rink and building upgrades ensure many more years of ice programs and services for the community. Thank you to our user groups, the community and our neighbours for your patience during the arena’s closure and construction.”

The Gold Arena is heavily used by the community and home to numerous user groups and associations. Prior to closing, the Gold Arena saw approximately 4,500 hours of ice used by these groups per year.

The project included replacement of the 53 year old Gold Arena ice slab, ice melt pit, dasher boards/glass, arena netting, the flooring around the boards and the building’s elevator. The elevator section of the project remains underway and is scheduled to be completed later in the fall. The Gold Arena has been closed since April 2020 when the ice was removed following the centre’s temporary closure at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This allowed an appropriate amount of time for the slab to thaw prior to construction.

Free public skate

To mark this important reopening milestone, G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre will offer a Free Public Skate on Saturday, October 2 by reserved drop-in. Registration for reserved drop-in opens September 28 at 8:30 a.m. online at saanich.ca/recreation. Pre-registration required. Saanich follows all COVID-19 protocols and current restrictions to align with the current PHO order.

Learn more

Visit saanich.ca/recreation for G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre hours and program information.

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Media contact:
Graham Thomson
G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre Manager
250-475-5441
graham.thomson@saanich.ca