Connie Tabbert
Editor
Cobden — Brent Gould, president of the Muskrat Minor Hockey Association, told Whitewater Region Township council that parents of children enrolled in the Muskrat hockey program want to know how to get financial help from council.
He asked this during yesterday’s council meeting because of the financial assistance provided to families of children participating in the Kyla Hockey Program at the Beachburg Arena.
Earlier this year, council provided a $1,500 grant to that program after program co-ordinator Hugh Martin made a presentation to council asking for a donation. There are about 70 children reparticipating in this skills-onlly hockey program.
Mr. Gould noted there are 171 Whitewater Region Township children participating in the minor hockey program.
“Parents and residents are asking why one association gets special funding. They asked me to come here and ask how do they get funding for their children,” he stated. “They want to know why certain residents get funding and others don’t.”
Mayor Jim Labow said the program at the Beachburg Arena is for children who want to try out hockey without parents paying a lot of money to find out their children are not interested in hockey.
He also noted the township provides funding to five recreation associations, and those with an indoor arena receiving at least $14,000, to do with what they want.
Mayor Labow said the Beachburg Arena program can be used as a stepping stone to get more young people interested in hockey, and it is also ready working, since seven have left the free program to join Muskrat Minor Hockey.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin agreed with Mayor Labow, saying “The numbers (in minor hockey) are way down. Hopefully with this program, the numbers will go back up. We need to get our rinks filled again.”
Mayor Labow noted it was one-time grant, and if the program wants more financial help, another request will have to be made.
Councillor Joey Trimm said he was the only council member who spoke against donating the money, not because he felt it wasn’t a worthwhile program, but because the recreation associations already receive financial help from council.
“We already give the rec associations in excess of $14,000,” he said. “And, we leave it up to each association to decide how to use that money.
“I felt strongly that money should have come from the $14,000. We are setting up a situation where it looks like we’re favouring one association over another. That’s not a good way of doing business.”
Mr. Gould said MMHA believes the program in Beachburg is great, but parents feel if council is going to help some hockey families, they should help them all.
“They all deserve the same chance of funding as those in Huey’s program,” Mr. Gould said. “Hockey is expensive, that’s why we’re loosing players. It’s the cost I bear for my son to play. I know of parents who are fighting to keep their kids in hockey.”
Reeve Don Rathwell recalled when his children were involved in hockey and he was coaching. There were children, even back then, who would attend a hockey tournament, but wouldn’t have money to pay for food while there, so he would.
“Things have not changed a whole lot,” he said. “I’m thankful there are people like you involved.
“I’m on the social services committee at the County,” he added. “I know that one out of seven children live below the poverty level. It’s tough to play hockey. Throughout the area, there are tough times. I’m looking at the big picture.”
Mayor Labow suggested if the Muskrat Minor Hockey Association wants funding from council, it send a letter to the finance committee requesting it, and should get the letter in prior to the end of December so it can be included when budget deliberations are happening.
