For the second straight year, a majority of city councillors have shot down a multi-million-dollar “visionary” idea to develop a refrigerated skating trail at Couchiching Beach Park.
As a result, it’s time to put the idea on ice.
Frankly, I love the idea, but I don’t love the $3,180,000 price tag.
I live near a city park that is home to an outdoor rink in the winter. I can attest to the amount of time and effort that city staff pour into these rinks.
Often, after countless hours of work, the rink is enjoyed for a day or two before being washed away by a mild spell. That frustrating cycle seems to play out several times each winter.
Yes, the merit of a refrigerated skate trail makes some sense.
The idea to attract more people to the waterfront in the winter months also makes sense.
But it no longer makes sense to drag out the idea during each budget cycle. It is clear there is not sufficient support at the council table for the concept.
Coun. Mason Ainsworth summed up the way many in the community are feeling during last week’s debate during capital budget deliberations.
“To be quite honest, I’m shocked that we’re actually even having this discussion,” he said.
And Coun. David Campbell said the community has spoken loud and clear about the issue.
“I’m elected to represent the people and I have overwhelmingly heard on this, more than anything that has come to council in the two years that I’ve been a councillor, that there is not support for it and, therefore, I will not be supporting it,” he said.
It’s time to close the file and move on.
Dave Dawson is community editor for OrilliaMatters
