Help decide the future of the Chippawa Arena & Library
As we consider the future of the Chippawa Arena & Library, we invite you to be an integral part of this process.
Our goal is to explore options for replacing or renovating the current 52-year-old arena while incorporating a new library branch and a versatile community event space. This initiative seeks to unify two aging facilities into a modern community center that meets the needs of our growing population and ensures accessibility for all residents.
Your input is vital in shaping this initiative as we strive to ensure that our developments are accessible and beneficial for all residents.
Chippawa is one of the fastest-growing areas in Niagara Falls. The City’s Planning Department recently noted that 200 new homes were built in the last five years, and an additional 1,100 units are forthcoming. The population of the City of Niagara Falls (City) is expected to grow by almost 40,000 people in the next 20 years, and the population in Chippawa is expected to double, with many residential developments already approved.
The City currently operates two arenas with five ice pads. The Chippawa-Willoughby Memorial Arena, built in 1973, is a single-pad arena. The arena facility is currently closed during the summer months. The City owns the land on which it is located, and vacant land adjacent to the existing structure could accommodate the expansion of the facility and parking amenities.
As a prominent venue in our community, the 52-year-old arena has served as a cornerstone for various events, gatherings, and recreational activities. However, with the passage of time and evolving needs, the City had to evaluate the viability and sustainability of the existing infrastructure. The City is looking at the current state of the Chippawa Willoughby Arena and considering what the facility needs as the community evolves. We’re exploring whether we can upgrade the existing facility or if a complete replacement is necessary.
The Chippawa Library was constructed in 1967 and last renovated and refreshed in 1984. However, significant and costly accessibility issues and issues related to an aging building initially designed as a residential home led to its closure in 2024. The building and property are currently for sale.
Library services and programs in Chippawa are currently being delivered via the Niagara Falls Public Library Bookmobile. The library helps residents of all ages and members of the small business community thrive by connecting them with information resources and a wide range of programs and services that respond to local needs.
While reading is still one of the core values of the libraries, they have evolved into community hubs, with spaces and places for gathering and collaborating. Computers, Internet access, and free Wi-Fi are welcomed and well-used by the community for job search, connection, and learning. Teen space offers the youth in our community a safe space to learn, grow and discover.
Customers are also travelling further to use the library. Data shows that many library customers located geographically closer to the Chippawa Library location seek the services of other libraries within our system.
Combining the Arena and Library - The Chippawa Arena & Library Redevelopment Study
The Chippawa Willoughby Memorial Arena and the Chippawa Branch Library are the only ones of their kind in the Chippawa area. Combining the two facilities will provide greater access for residents and create a hub of activity open to the public. The facility is within a walkable community for those looking to visit the library, arena, or outdoor amenities such as the playground, splash pad, and soccer and baseball fields in adjacent Patrick Cummings Park.
This new project will combine staff resources from the City and Library Board, allowing greater access to the facility year-round.
Moving Chippawa Library to this location will solve the library’s accessibility issues and align with provincial recommendations. Other service benefits include more customer parking, space to wait for public transit, and the ability to combine multiple public services into a single facility.
We need your input
Arena and library community partners, including boards, committees, and associations, were provided an overview and consulted in a meeting held on March 5th.
As we consider our options, we want to hear from residents and businesses – everyone who lives and works in Niagara Falls. Three general directions being explored are:
- Renovating the existing structure for an indoor turf facility and building an addition adjacent to the existing facility to accommodate a new NHL-sized rink, a larger dressing room footprint, a new library space, a gymnasium, and an event space.
- Renovating the existing structure, plus building an addition for a larger dressing room footprint, a new library space and a new event space.
- Renovating the existing structure, plus building an addition for a larger dressing room footprint and a new library space.
How you can participate
☑️Take the survey below by Friday, April 4th.
☑️Provide your comments and questions below.
☑️Attend our Open Houses on Tuesday, March 25th & Saturday, March 29th.
☑️Spread the word! Share this page with friends and family.
Explore ->
Let’s explore these options together. Click through the tabs to learn more about each potential design.
Option 1
Renovating the existing structure for an indoor turf facility and building an addition adjacent to the existing facility to accommodate a new NHL-sized rink, a larger dressing room footprint, a new library space, a gymnasium, and an event space.
This option includes:
- A new NHL-size rink
- 7 new changerooms
- A new event space
- A gymnasium/dry floor facility (for basketball, volleyball, etc.)
- An indoor turf facility
- A new accessible library with multi-purpose rooms, recreation programming and community programs
Important considerations:
- This option does not impact the operation of the existing facility. It continues to operate normally while the addition is being constructed. Specifically, the existing hockey arena will continue to operate while the addition is being built. After the rink addition is complete and the rink operations transition, the existing rink will be renovated into a dry sports facility.
- Estimated cost: $65 - $75 million.
- This is the high-cost option of the three.
- Total building area: 100,000 square feet.
Option 2
Renovating the existing structure, plus building an addition for a larger dressing room footprint, a new library space and an event space.
This option includes:
- Renovating the existing rink to accommodate new ice groups (i.e., Sledge Hockey)
- A new accessible library with multi-purpose rooms, recreation programming and community programs
- 7 new changerooms
- A new event space
Important considerations:
- The existing facility will be closed for a minimum of one season.
- Estimated cost: $30 - $40 million.
- This is the mid-cost option of the three.
- This option does not include an NHL-size rink or dry floor facility, as you see in Option 1.
- Total building area: 59,309 square feet.
Option 3
Renovating the existing structure, plus building an addition for a larger dressing room footprint and a new library space.
This option includes:
- Renovating the existing rink to accommodate new ice groups (i.e., Sledge Hockey)
- A new accessible library with multi-purpose rooms, recreation programming and community programs
- 7 new changerooms
Important considerations:
- The existing facility will be closed for a minimum of one season.
- Estimated cost: $20 - $30 million.
- This is the low-cost option of the three.
- This option does not include an NHL-size rink or dry floor facility, as in Option 1, nor an event space, as in Options 1 and 2.
- Total building area: 55,893 square feet.
Questions & Comments
Submit your questions or comments in the text box below. Feedback will be posted publicly on this page within 24 hours. To share your question or comment privately, please email rmcdonald@niagarafalls.ca. Thank you!
