Saugeen Shores councillors will hear a report this evening about year-round ice at the Plex in Port Elgin.
Town staff will outline options and recommendations after a group of residents made a detailed delegation and request to keep the ice season going all year.
Staff say it would be too complicated to start a suggested three-year pilot program in 2024 because the construction of the new aquatic and wellness centre at the Plex property would get in the way.
They say starting the program in 2025 might be possible if indoor events are moved to the Coliseum in Southampton to free up the ice pad at the Plex.
The group of residents who made a delegation in January includes Janet Dawson, Steve Currie, Gord Lamont, Ryan Brown, and Mike McNabb. They would like to see a three-year pilot project get underway soon. Back in 2020, council had approved their proposed pilot program, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted that plan.
Delegates have a long list of proposed summer programming for the ice which includes summer hockey leagues, a Winterhawks tune-up tournament, goalie camp, training camps, public skating, bike race on ice, and broomball.
Monday’s staff report says if the pilot program starting in 2025 is approved, the ice would need to be available at the Coliseum into April. They say the shift to the Plex could occur once the Aquatic and Wellness Centre hydro and transformer connection is complete in April, and ice is reinstalled at the Plex.
Today’s report recommends council direct staff to return with a report in mid to late spring with a recommendation for the three-year pilot program starting in 2025.
