Leonard Knott
A frustrated group representing Millbrook Minor Hockey and the Millbrook Figure Skating Club led by Kym Dunlop appeared before Cavan Monaghan Township Council on August 31 to ask that Millbrook Arena’s rinks open on September 21st, a week earlier than currently planned. A week makes all the difference when coaches are scheduling team player try-outs.
A minor hockey volunteer for 20 years, Kym told Council members the arena has long been an issue. With thousands of people using the ice each year, for everything from figure skating to the Sunday Night Men’s League, the real issue is an outdated, worn-out building. Among many issues is out-dated ice-making and ventilation equipment.
Mayor Scott McFadden, a frequent user of the Arena, showed his sympathy for the delegation when he said that sending the hockey skills school to other arenas because Millbrook Arena ice was not ready was not good enough. Another example, he remarked, “… are the arena’s changing rooms that cram 19 players with their hockey gear into a space built for 10 players to change.” “We have to move forward on the bigger issue,” he added, which is the need for a new arena.
Josh Kirkwood noted that a two-pad hockey arena would be fully booked, with teams and skaters from all over the area. Gerry Barker, Manager, Parks and Facilities, told Council he and his team do everything in their power to get the ice prepared for the season, but the weather doesn’t always cooperate. He said one year the ice wasn’t ready until early October. He explained that sometimes in weather that’s too warm
they flood the rink too early; then the ice melts and the two-week-long process has to be repeated, adding to the cost of running the rink.
It was finally resolved that, bearing in mind the problems, some additional overtime help could be budgeted for. This could cost up to $2,500. Then the rink could be opened for business as early as September 25th. Gerry Barker added that if all goes well, the rink could open September 22.
After the meeting when asked about the greater issue of building a new facility, Kym said that going to Council for its support to start the ball rolling will have to take place on another day. Meanwhile, she added, “we are satisfied with the outcome oftoday’s council meeting.”
