The Municipality of Grey Highlands is moving forward with opening the Flesherton arena but will be holding off on opening the arenas in Rocklyn and Osprey.
“We're going to see what that soft launch looks like and put all our policies and procedures in place for that soft launch before we make a decision moving forward on the other arenas. But, it's looking very promising,” said Raylene Martell, director of council, legislative services and clerk for the municipality of Grey Highlands.
The Flesherton arena is expected to reopen on Oct. 13.
“At this stage, because the only ice surface available in the municipality will be in Flesherton, staff have been questioned as to whether all groups will need to pay the Flesherton ice rental rate (which is higher than the rates in Osprey and Rocklyn), which could have a financial impact for many of the user groups,” said Michele Harris, director of economic and community development for Grey Highlands.
At a council meeting held earlier this week, Grey Highlands council has decided ice time at the Flesherton arena will be available to residents of other communities at the rate they would normally pay at their home arena.
The prime time rate for ice time at the Flesherton arena will be $115 for Rocklyn arena users; $132 for Osprey arena users; and $143 for Markdale and Flesherton residents; and non-residents will be charged $160 per hour.
“Given the pandemic that we're in right now, we haven't gone ahead and opened all arenas. And, I think it would be quite unfair for us to ask someone in Rocklyn to not only pay the higher fee in Flesherton, but also to drive to Flesherton in order to use the ice time,” said Aakash Desai, deputy mayor of Grey Highlands.
Harris added that the fees for ice time are long-standing fees that had been approved through the municipality’s fees and charges bylaw.
Municipal staff are currently working with various user groups to distribute ice time evenly.
Harris also noted in her staff report that the total ice rental revenue recorded at the municipality’s four arenas for 2020 is currently sitting at $89,140, compared to the budgeted revenue of $270,000.
