Members of Midland council and staff skated toward keeping the outdoor rink open a little while longer.
“I know in some ways it was there to accommodate COVID,” Coun. Cher Cunningham began, “but it has been truly, truly appreciated and getting some wonderful use. Will we be able to keep that open through the rest of winter?”
The question was posed to CAO David Denault during his COVID-19 update during the regular meeting of council.
“That will be up to Mother Nature,” the CAO quipped. “As long as Mother Nature accommodates us, we’re going to keep it open.
“The staff certainly felt the community appreciating that little piece of happiness out there that seemed to meet a lot of needs.”
The rink, located in the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre parking lot at 527 Len Self Blvd, just south of the Frederick Street entrance, has been open since mid-January.
“We’re going to do everything we can to keep it open as long as we can, and I think temperature is the only factor that will influence that,” said Denault. “And we’ll take a hard look at providing these types of facilities going forward as well. Obviously, it met a need that was existent.”
Coun. Bill Gordon echoed “rave reviews” towards staff that created the rink, and asked that the cost be identified for future budgets so that the initiative could be continued in the future; in those words, CAO Denault gave a hearty nod of approval.
Currently, the outdoor rink is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with safety rules in place, including:
• A maximum of 50 skaters on the ice surface at one time;
• A recommendation that all skaters wear CSA approved helmets;
• All participants must wear skates while on the ice surface. Those without skates are not permitted on the ice surface;
• Chairs, sleds, strollers, and other obstructions are not permitted on the ice surface; and
• The use of hockey sticks is not permitted.
Council meetings are held every third Wednesday, and can be attended virtually through Zoom by contacting the clerk’s department of Midland town hall for a link to the meeting.
Council meetings can also be viewed on Rogers TV cable channel 53, or through the Rogers TV website. Archives of council meetings are available through Rogers TV and on the Town of Midland’s YouTube channel.
