Local News
Tillsonburg will be the first community in Oxford County to bring ice back to an arena after a request from a local skating group.
Jun 30, 2020 • Last updated Jul 01, 2020 •
Toronto Maple Leafs alumni goalie Jean-Sebastien Aubin stops Tillsonburg’s Derek Dodsley on a first-period breakaway Saturday during a fundraising exhibition at the Kinsmen Memorial Arena in Tillsonburg. Funds raised at the sold out game will go to the F. A. R. E. (Fee Assisted Recreational Experience) program in Tillsonburg. (Chris Abbott/Tillsonburg News/Postmedia Network) jpg, WD
Tillsonburg will be the first community in Oxford County to bring ice back to an arena following a request from the town’s skating club.
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The town council agreed to this plan after Can Skate and the Tillsonburg Skating Club requested summer ice for seven to eight hours each day to get ready for the upcoming 2020-21 skating season.
The installation of ice on one of the arena’s two pads is set for July 18, once staff reopen the pool at Lake Lisgar waterpark – their top priority – on July 11.
Council was given three options but chose eight hours of usable ice six days a week at a cost of $12,447 per week.
“There’s going to be a loss (financially) but, if you have to start (the ice), you have to start it at some point,” said Tillsonburg Mayor Stephen Molnar.
The town expects around $3,000 in revenue each week to help cover costs for the ice at a rate of $95.95 an hour.
Kyle Pratt, the town’s CAO, mentioned that staff “were more comfortable” with the second option which offered five hours of usable ice instead of eight because it would save about $4,000 weekly in staffing resources.
When asked by council if there were other groups that could book time and help offset costs, Pratt said they could check if there was interest.
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Under this plan – and to keep things running smoothly – town staff will need to operate for 14 hours every day.</h2
Oxford County has eleven ice pads total – including one in Tillsonburg – but all were closed due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.</h2
The province’s stage two reopening allows municipalities to open arenas for public use while adhering to health guidelines. However, dressing rooms still can’t be opened during this phase.<h2
Brian Connors, Woodstock’s director of parks and recreation told Sentinel-Review that they may consider installing ice during stage three if enough major rental groups express interest.<h2
No other arenas in Oxford currently plan on adding ice until late summer or fall.<h2
Pratt highlighted how crucial cleaning would be; this includes partial overnight cleaning resumes as well as regular housekeepers and contract cleaning along with entry screening procedures.<h2
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In an odd exchange, Pratt addressed fifteen questions from Coun. Chris Rosehart regarding why three groups were needed for cleaning instead of just one.. cleaners each had different levels of responsibilities when it comes down. to cleaning tasks.<h2<strong. Staff noted that they would face increased costs due. to entry screening and additional cleaning which amounts. to about $3.780 every week. Additional staffing would also come back at $2460 weekly.<h3<strong. Recreational facilities are considered services by municipalities which typically end. each year with financial deficits. The staff report indicated that last year Tillsonburg facilities saw. a net loss. of $267961 between April and August,. For. the past three years, this same period averaged. a loss. of.$234097<h4<strong. Due. to COVID-19 ending operations early last March, and lower revenue generated, the estimated net loss from April through August this year. is projected. at$315102 based. on. the chosen plan. by council.<h5<strong.”This is. a losing-money proposition no matter what,”Coun. Pete Luciani stated.“If nothing was going on. and we didn’t. open up with ice time. what would that. loss. be?”. Pratt responded that without any added ice. in. the arena, the net loss would indeed. be less. Sheena Pawliwec interim finance director added. savings were found through reduced hydro expenses. and certain staffing needs although operational costs remain whether or. not. it’s being utilized.
