The Municipality of Westlake-Gladstone recently funded repairs at Gladstone Arena necessary to keep the rink open.

Mayor David Single says there was a brine leak in the cooling system of the rink's ice plant, affecting the salt content of the water for the sheet. He says fixing the leak and restoring the salt levels cost about $16,000.

"It ended up costing a considerable amount of money. They didn't have it, so they came to (council)," Single says. "We basically said we need the arena open, so let's give them the money to keep it open."

Single says there will likely be more work needed to be done in the future on the aging arena.

"The rink is fairly old. There is going to be other things like this showing up," explains Single. "It has been there for a long time, and it's due for upkeep."

He adds the rink is an important facility for the community, and the entire municipality, throughout winter.

"Kids from all over the community play hockey there. The Lakers, the senior hockey team, play out of there," says Single. "It's a major attraction for the community, and we couldn't have hockey without it."

"It's huge, and people from all over the municipality use it."