Council Debates On-Ice Advertising
And Possible Funding Of
Junior A Blues Hockey
The Staff Report stated that the fund-raising project would be for an individual group, in this case, the Collingwood Junior A Blues, meaning the Town could not anticipate a considerable amount of revenue to be forthcoming. The report stated that a number of major ice users may also wish to institute a similar project. Mr. Dunbar’s report went on to say that the Town of Collingwood will be hosting two large events, the Ontario Winter Games and the Paralympic Winter Championships, in 2008. “It may be advisable to have the ice surface available for use for these events. Similarly, the town of Collingwood may determine that promotion of one of their own activities may be of benefit” the report stated.
In addition, Mr. Dunbar’s Staff Report stated that adding advertising to the ice surface and keeping it in good condition over the period of a year can be a costly and time consuming process as well as cause for additional maintenance concerns. “We anticipate the initial installation would require approximately ten hours at a cost of approximately $750.00 per sign. Removal would require similar time and cost. The additional maintenance required to keep the sign in prime condition over the period of one year with no mishaps, like a power outage, would amount to approximately 104 hours or two hours per week” the report stated.
In general discussion around the council table, Mr. Dunbar said that he had checked to see what other hockey teams are doing regarding on-ice advertising. “We went through the league to try to find comparable information, but what did come up was that several leagues do put logos on their ice, and they do it at the start of the season” Dunbar said. “They have concrete floors vs. sand floors” Dunbar told council, adding that Collingwood’s sand floor makes the process of on-ice advertising even more difficult as the ice is only replaced three or four years.
Councilor Dave Labelle said that he supports council doing whatever it can to keep the Collingwood Blues hockey team as a successful business as well as part of the fabric of Collingwood. “We’ve been known as hockey town throughout the province for many years. I find it difficult to not support anything that doesn’t cost money to any of the tax payers and yet helps support a business that brings money to the town with Friday night hockey in Collingwood” Labelle said. “We’ve just given the nod to donating a large expensive piece of property to a theatre group which obviously costs us money and here we can’t even recognize the importance of hockey in hockey town Ontario that isn’t costing money. I just can’t wrap my head around that whole system” Labelle told Council.
Councilor Ian Chadwick said advertising has been a fact of life ever since the print media first came about. He said he agrees with Councilor Dave Labelle, saying that he doesn’t like the way this process is ending. Chadwick would like to see further open dialogue to see if there are other alternatives. “The Blues are very important to the town and this is a way for us to show we support them” Chadwick said. Councilor Chadwick encouraged all parties to investigate other options to make the situation work out.
Councilor Tim McNabb said that if the floor in the Eddie Bush Arena was concrete rather than sand, he’d be more inclined to support the request to allow on-ice advertising. “I’m more inclined to be concerned about our staff” McNabb said. “I’d be open to other ideas and other things. I just don’t think that this idea is as viable as some people think. I think it will have problems and could lead to a lot more increased work for our staff” McNabb told council.
Councilor Sonny Foley stated that he wasn’t a hockey fan, but if he was, he’d rather see a hockey game and not more advertising. “I think that with advertising today that we’re just getting too darn much of it” Foley told council. Foley said the staff that runs the arena has been complemented for years as to how well they run the facility. Mr. Foley said that he supports recommendation of the Staff Report.
Councilor Kathy Jeffery said that she is very supportive of the Collingwood Blues hockey team. “Despite the fact that I seconded this motion to get it on the table, I’m just wondering if advertising on the ice is the best way for the Blues. What I’d like to do is to ask for one more deferral” Jeffery stated. Councilor Jeffery would like to see a contribution from the municipality in the amount of ten thousand dollars based on the fact that the Blues would not qualify for any further funding from Leisure Services.
Councilor Norm Sandberg and Councilor Mike Edwards agreed with Councilor Jeffery's proposal to defer the matter.
Council will discuss the matter again on November 5th.
A Staff Report submitted by Director of Leisure Services Peter Dunbar concludes that at the present time, the ice surface in the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena should not be made available to a user group for fund-raising purposes. The user group in question is the Collingwood Junior A Blues Hockey Team.