The Hollingsworth Arena was built in 1972 and was named after Frank Hollingsworth a long-time public-school teacher and volunteer sports organizer. Prior to it being decommissioned, the Hollingsworth Arena was home to the Newmarket Minor Hockey Association.
Demolition of the Hollingsworth Arena
The Town of Newmarket has selected Salandria Ltd. through a competitive procurement process to carry out the demolition of the Hollingsworth Arena (35 Patterson Street). Preliminary work was completed in December 2020 and the demonlition took place in Spring 2021. All trees, plants and shrubs in the area were protected during this work.
The decision to decommission the building was made by Newmarket Council in April 2019 due to the age of the building, decreased use by the community and a significant amount of capital funding required to repair and keep the building operational.
Background
In May 2019, Newmarket Council voted to preserve 2.14 acres of greenspace on the Hollingsworth Arena land for community use and endorsed the concept of developing a portion of the property in conjunction with adjacent lands (693 Davis Drive and 713 Davis Drive).
Public Engagement Meeting
On Thursday, June 23, 2022, the Town hosted a public meeting for residents to reimagine the Hollingsworth Park (former site of Hollingsworth Arena) to become a gathering spot for the community. Residents participated in a variety of hands-on interactive experiences/stations that will help influence the design of the park!
Briarwood (NWMKT) Inc. License of Portion of Hollingsworth Property for Construction Staging
Construction on 693 Davis Drive and 713 Davis Drive by Briarwood (NWMKT) Inc. has begun. The Town of Newmarket has granted permission to Briarwood (NWMKT) Inc. to occupy the southerly 25-metre strip of the remaining Hollingsworth Arena property (the “Access Strip”) for a period of one year for the purposes of construction staging for their development commencing on July 1, 2022. The development that will achieve goals set out in the Town’s Secondary Plan.
The Access Strip is adjacent to the Town land that was transferred to Briarwood (NWMKT) Inc. on June 21, 2022, being the southerly 21-meter strip of the original parcel of the Hollingsworth Arena site. Please see the map for more details
Background:
In 2019 the Town of Newmarket Council voted to approve the transfer of ownership of the southerly 21-meter strip of the Hollingsworth Arena site (35 Patterson Street) to Briarwood (NWMKT) Inc. and to preserve the remaining 2.14 acres of green space for community use as a future park. An initial public meeting was held on June 23, 2022 for the public to reimagine the area and help to influence the design.
