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The Era Newmarket Aurora Keawlck On Wed October Arena mall festivities attract thousands Recreation Committee Jim Handle- right officially opened the newly- renovated Newmarket Arena at a ceremony Saturday morning Recreation Director Dan Shannon sits at left Arena a 2 million asset now Handley NEWMARKET It would cost to replace Newmarkets newly renoated arena Recreation Committee Chairman Jim Handley said at ceremonies officially opening the reconditioned facilities Saturday morning Mr said it has been stated many times that we should have used the spent on renovations to build a new arena and perhaps this Is true but I would like to point out that to replace it today It would probably cost We now have an arena we can be proud of he said In his speech the chairman said the arena floor has been enlarged it now has a surface smooth enough to hold dances on and it can be used for roller skating bingo wrestling floor shows and concerts And within a few days it will have an ice surface it should be called a community centre instead of arena The chairman went on to thank a number of people involved in the renovations for their efforts including town council for approving the expenditures architects Smith and Milne who he said went for beyond their commitment and their very modest fee general contractor Ivan Jack Osmond who was responsible for Jack Groves Main St mall and Dr John Cole activities Mr also congratulated Recreation Director Dan Shannon Alf and the arena staff A large contribution to the success of the celebrations was made by the members of the Newmarket Citizens Band and the Newmarket Legion Pipe Band Both bands played Saturday morning at the arena and following the opening ceremonies the Citizens Band gave a concert on the Main St Later Citizens Band members formed a separate orchestra and played at the beer garden Four searchlights one placed at each comer of town played over the valley during the evening celebrations Plans called for the lights to be focusscd on balloons high over the arena but somebody stole the balloons before they could be put up Scott and McMillan both of New market were the winners of the Royal Banks guessing contest Contestants guessed at the number of pennies in two jars Mr Yardy guess of was only one over the actual total in the blue jar and Miss McMillan came closest to the 4376 pennies in the yellow jar with a 349 Each won Newmarket firemen collected about 500 at their Main St mall booth Friday night and Saturday The Bra pholgr ipher Hot White got a birdseye view of Main St mall activities Friday night ly climbing up to the roof of the Toronto- Dominion Hank building Above is the square dance as seen from Whites vantage point At right is a view looking south on Main St during the street dance v left Newmarket Legion president Ron congratulates two of he winners of the Legionsponsored soap box derby They are Neil Chambers the overall winner and second place finisher Brady The derby was mined out Saturday but was held Sunday right the derby contestants streak towards the finish line as track officials run to head them off no brakes PHOTOS BY ROBERT WHITE