Alnwick/Haldimand Township Council reject reducing arena operating hours

Photo courtesy of Markus Spiske. Free Use Domain. Upsplash

By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative

Alnwick Haldimand Township Council has defeated a motion to reduce ice time operations at the arena.

A staff report indicated that changing the hours from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. weekends and holidays would  save the municipality approximately $52,000 a year.

However drop-in shinny hockey on Monday and Thursday, as well as parent and tot time throughout the week would be impacted.

The motion was met with headwinds right away as councillors were concerned about the users of the drop-in programs being affected.

Councillor Greg Booth stated reducing the hours may impact fundraising efforts for the new arena project, citing a reduction in ice services may irk the public.

The report only recommended one option. Only Mayor John Logel  voted in favour of the original motion.

Deputy Mayor Joan Stover immediately proposed a new motion to ask staff to prepare a report on cost saving measures for the arena. With the arena currently opening at 7:00 a.m. and the first ice usage at 9:00 a.m. Stover and others questioned the need to operate when no one is there.

Council passed that motion, with a report expected to be discussed later this month.