Peaceful Protest Held Opposing Gambling at Walpole Island Arena

Walpole Island Arena, opened in 1984 has long served the community of Walpole Island’s recreational purposes including hockey, dances, figure skating, and much more. Not only does the arena serve Walpole Island First Nation, it has also been a home for recreational groups from Wallaceburg, Sarnia, and across Chatham-Kent.

Now however, the arena is in jeopardy of being transformed into a gambling facility. Dozens of protestors showed up to a recent hockey practice at the arena holding signs to show that they are not in favour of the proposed change, which was put forth by Three Fires Entertainment.

If successful, the group would reportedly bring a card club, online gaming, and daily bingo to the community hall portion of the Walpole Island Arena.

Walpole Island no longer supports a local Minor Hockey organization due to dwindling numbers, however the arena is still used by community members, as well as outside groups including Wallaceburg Minor Hockey.

As recently as last season, the arena was also the home ice for the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Major Midget AAA program which was a key development team sending almost their entire roster to Junior B, Junior C, and University hockey programs this season. The team is not running this year as the organization was unable to secure a suitable coach.

As well, Walpole Island Arena formerly was home to a Great Lakes Junior C organization, the Walpole Island Hawks who played their last seasons in the 1990’s.

CKSN will continue to follow this story as it progresses.