The Council reviewed a recommendation to renew the Beachburg and Westmeath Ice Allocation hiatus be extended due to COVID-19.
Treasurer Sean Crozier said that due to pandemic cleaning, ice allocation would require a 30 minute gap in ice demand to properly clean.
He said that there’s 13 hours of demand for prime-time ice a week for the Township’s three agreement.
He said that they were running at 50 percent of the usual user group agreements due to uncertainty.
He said that previous groups that had confirmed they would not require the services this year would amount to 1400 hours worth of service from previous years.
He said that they would have to look into “alternative uses” for the Westmeath and Beachburg agreements.
He said that current situation would result in a 22,000 loss in operating costs due to the lack of review for two months.
He said that it would also lead into early next year.
He said that this decision would affect future budget deliberations.
Councillor Mackay said that he “couldn’t see them closing the Beachburg agreement” while the Cobden arena remained open,saying that it would be necessary for activity.
“We want these kids a little more active.” He said.
Councillor McLaughlin said that he “couldn’t see where they’d get the money to keep them operational” and suggested an outdoor agreement in Beachburg.
“In the old days, there was only one covered rink in the Whitewater Region.” he said. “There’s not enough use to justify maintaining the arena.”
He asked if they were using part-time operators and the staffing situation.
Jordan Durocher said that they were using increased staff in maintaining the rink, and suggested installation of an outdoor tap to facilitate flooding an outdoor arena.
Reeve Cathy Regier said she would be ‘in full favour of going forward with an outdoor rink’.
“We are still in COVID-19, and we don’t know where it is going.” she said “We could open these rinks, and have them shut down in January.”
Councillor Olmstead said that Beachburg’s arena is ‘a social hub’ for the community, but said that the restrictions.
“I’ve seen outdoor skating where there’s 80-100 people in attendance.” He said. “With the restrictions n how many are in the arena, I don’t see how it’s gonna work.”
“I don’t see people paying these exorbitant fees for these arenas. Everyone is hurting right now.”
“We’re not looking at closing the arenas for good.” Councillor Charlene Jackson said. “We’re in the midst of a pandemic. There are other issues . The humidity conditions in a rink are very high. What I’d like staff to think about what kind of uses can be utilized in the arenas. Just to keep these facilities open, without having to put the ice in. I want staff to think about if there is something to do, to kind of draw their mind away from this pandemic.”
“recreation is something we look forward to, just as the kids look forward to that. I don’t want it completely closed. It would be completely closed if we don’t have. I’m very much in favour of closing those two arenas for now. Hopefully this pandemic will be well behind us for now, and we can move on.”
Mayor Moore said that the arenas would have issues in the winter months, due to the floors freezing.
“We’d be in a whole different issue with slip and falls.” he said. “I don’t know what we could implement safely.
Jordon Durocher said that in particularly Westmeath would be an issue due to no heating, and Beachburg would be tricky due to only having radiant heating.
“It’s a matter of trial and error.” he said. “If we put the word out, maybe we can see if there’s an appetite in the community.”
Jackson suggested the arenas be used to rent out for storage for vehicles.
Mayor Moore asked if it would affect insurance premiums.
“Recreation is a high-risk use.” Trembley said. “We would look into it, but I don’t see it as a huge impediment.”
Mayor Moore also said that they would have to be careful of weight for storage, suggesting sheets of plywood under sufficiently heavy loads.
Councillor Daryl Mackay said that he would talk to the Fair Board to look to see if they can put a rink in.
“I don’t think it’s possible.” Councillor Jackson said, “I don’t think we can risk money when we can’t even justify the demand. I think of this as a temporary measure to stop the bleeding.”
He suggested using “Reverse heating” in the arenas, using the water pipes used to keep the ice cold with hot water to heat the building.
He said that prime hours for any storage go to residents first.
He suggested that they “partner with community resources”
“I am concerned for our kids.” he said. “I think there’s an onus for us to offer recreational activity that’s COVID-safe. I know that we can’t offer that for free with our budget, but.”
“All of these activities are gone. I think it’s our responsibility to offer them something.”
The Mayor asked if it was possible to warm it.
Durocher said that there was a warming component, and would have to check at how much heat was produced and if it could heat the building.
CAO Trembley suggested that they take the motion as direction rather than a motion, as the Councillors wanted to take the question of partnership and options to the community, and that they would return to it.
“I’m fully in favour to helping as much as we can.” Councillor McLaghlin said.
He asked what the cost would be for staffing the arena, and Durocher said there was an extra staff member, which would come out to $1500 a week including the weekend.
“It’s an increase in cost and a reduction in revenue.” CAO Trembley said. “It’s the perfect storm.”
“Should something happen, if we have one or two positives coming out of Cobden, then we’re shut down for two weeks for new revenue.” Mayor Moore said. “If we have no other arenas active, we’re down.
Reeve Regier asked if the matter would be brought back at the next meeting.
“I don’t want to lose sight of this.” she said. “
“I think next week would be a bit premature.” CAO Trembley asked. “It will take us some time to ascertain interest. We’re committed to reaching out and seeing if we can line that up. I don’t think we’re looking at it next week, since we’re tabling the budget.”
A vote was called, and the direction was carried.
Ivan Burton requested that that they table a motion to review a motion to not contract out the maintenance of water towers.
“It’s a process that has its benefits to do internally, and not contract it out.”
