By Connie Tabbert
Editor
The Kyla Hockey Program at Beachburg Arena is getting some financial help from a special account for Whitewater Region Township.
Beachburg arena manager Hugh Martin spoke about the program at the Sept. 3 council meeting. He gave an outline of the program, noting it’s for children throughout the township aged four to nine who have never played hockey.
Following a 20-minute discussion, council passed a motion that the $1,500 be taken out of the Ottawa River Power Corporation fund.
Prior to the vote on the motion, Mr. Martin said the program is sponsored by the ODHA (Ottawa District Hockey Association), the Canadian Tire Jump Start Program and a few local sponsors. The program needs about $5,500 for ice time, he said.
“We’re trying to encourage kids aged four to nine to get into hockey,” he said. “If we can start them off with a free program, with gear, I think it’ll promote more than hockey, but ball, soccer, friendships, and everything else that goes with sports.”
Mr. Martin was hopeful council would donate $1,500 towards the program, since the program is for all children aged four to nine in Whitewater Region Township.
Deputy-Mayor Izett McBride said, “It’s a terrific community initiative,” and wondered how many children could be in the program.
“I’d like to see 50 kids,” Mr. Martin said.
He believes if it’s free, those children who have parents not interested in hockey or sports, possibly they will allow their child to participate. Parents who don’t play sports, may not want to pay the cost of registering their child(ren) in sports, especially if they don’t know if the child will like the sport or not, he explained.
The gear, which is worth about $20,000, is being donated by the ODHA. Every child will be equipped with what is necessary, he said. It will then be turned in at at year’s end to be used again.
Children will have opportunity to play for two years for free, but, Mr. Martin stressed, there are no games played, it’s all skill development. If a child does become interested in playing hockey, he or she won’t want to stay in the free program, because there are no games, he explained.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin questioned if the $1,500, since it’s not budgeted, could be split between 2014 and 2015.
Treasurer Marsha Hawthorne said she and chief administrative officer Christine FitzSimons had talked about the request knowing it was coming to council, and suggested the $1,500 could be taken out of the Ottawa River Power Corporation (ORPC) fund.
Councillor Joey Trimm said, “Well, Huey, it’s obvious the passion you have for this. It’s admirable that you are doing this for our kids. The ongoing health benefits are very, very important.”
Coun. Trimm said council already provides a “no strings attached grant” in excess of$14,000 to each of the three recreation associations where there is an indoor rink. Council does not question how the money is spent and knows it is always spent wisely. He questioned why the $1,500 could not come out of that fund.
“(That money) is so we can help with the health of the community and everything that you were saying,” he said.
Coun. Trimm asked Mr. Martin if he asked the association to pitch in for the $1,500.
Mr. Martin said he explained the program to the association, and money will be coming from the recreation department, but it’s only one building where the program will be held, which means that association is going to be out the funds and not the other associations.
Coun. Trimm said it’s only fair the other two rec associations put money towards the program, since it’s for all children, aged four to nine, in the township. The township does have money in reserves, but it’s bad timing to come and ask for money this time of the year, he added.
“Just pulling money out of reserves is not a wise budget move,” Coun. Trimm said. “It’s there for a reason, it’s there to cover us if we need that money. We have to be careful of that scenario. And of course, the treasurer would help us if we decide to move money around.”
He still questions why the three rec associations can’t work together for “a worthwhile program like this. I do not have a negative thing to say about this program.”
In answering a question about the length of the program, Mr. Martin believes it will last for years. It’s not a program to take over minor hockey, it’s a program to enhance minor hockey by increasing the number of children who will want to play the game. He believes this year there are only about 100 participants in minor hockey in the township.
Reeve Don Rathwell recalled the advertisement on television for the young child who is walking up the street and sees a help wanted sign in the window of a restaurant. When he asks the man inside if he can be hired, the man tells him he should be playing hockey or something like that. And the young boy says, “That’s what I’m trying to do.”
It brings tears to your eyes to see that little kid, Reeve Rathwell said. There are many children out there whose families cannot afford to pay for hockey, he said.
“How many Gretzkys have been missed because their parents couldn’t afford to put skates on them,” Reeve Rathwell questioned.
However, getting the money is a budget thing, and the $1,500 should be taken out of the $14,000 the association gets. But, he did add, he would be in favour of the money coming from the ORPC fund.
Deputy-Mayor McBride said this is a great way for the township to come together as one, since all children from the township can participate. But, he thinks it’s important the township support it with a donation to show it supports the program.
Mayor Jim Labow said if this program is going to operate next year, possibly there may need to be a budget increase for the associations, because the current grant is for operating expenses without adding on new programs.
Coun. McLaughlin said this program is for more than just Beachburg children, so it should be taken out of the general funds, since it’s for all of Whitewater Region children. Next year, it could be budgeted properly, he added. He recalled when Cobden arena manager Jerry McIntyre said all the numbers of participants is going down.
“At least this is a positive way of getting more children into our three arenas,” he said. “This is a great idea and I could go either way (in regards to the funding).”
Mr. Martin has only positive thoughts about this program.
“I think it will be an overwhelming success,” he said.
