Council Votes In Favour
To Construct Roof Over
Outdoor Ice Surface
User Groups Will Pay A Share Of Cost
The proposed roof over the outdoor ice surface will move forward thanks to a 6-3 vote at the Collingwood Council table on Monday, March 1st. Council has voted in favour of a debenture of 675 thousand dollars to cover the town's portion of construction costs. User groups are required to raise an additional 300 thousand dollars to bring the total project cost close to 1 million dollars.
Council had received numerous letters from minor hockey parents and citizens encouraging the town to move forward with the roof project at Central Park to help alleviate the ice rental crunch that exists in the community.
Mayor Chris Carrier said that significant issues still remain to be addressed before actual construction can begin. Carrier said that more approvals are necessary including engineering studies and drawings and a critical storm water management review. "If we find out that the storm water management review tells us that we need to involve the Minnesota Street station rather than the Patterson Street station, then there will be additional costs involved and council will need to know about them" Carrier said.
In a February 20th staff report, Director of Leisure Services Peter Dunbar outlined three roof options. (read related story) Dunbar detailed an Air-Supported Structure (Bubble), Fabric Cover System and Pre-engineered Steel Roof. Mayor Carrier said council didn't choose a specific option, adding that it will more than likely be a fixed roof that is constructed over the ice surface, however he noted that before any option can be chosen, a site plan review will need to be completed.
Noting the various plans and studies that will need to be carried out, Mayor Carrier said that it would be unlikely to see construction begin until the spring or summer of 2011.
Collingwood's outdoor rink is popular when conditions are good, but weather including bright sunshine can make conditions unreliable
