According to the Village of ΡΗΦήΜμΜΓ Lakeβs recreation organizational review, there are still some βhard feelingsβ around the village βtaking overβ the ΡΗΦήΜμΜΓ Lake Curling Rink.
βThereβs a feeling among some that the group was not listened to despite efforts to meet and go in front of council,β states the review. βIt was also suggested that the village did not recognize the volunteers for their efforts.β
The ΡΗΦήΜμΜΓ Lake Curling Rink was built by volunteers approximately 60 years ago. Later on, the building was transferred to the village for a symbolic price with an agreement that the ΡΗΦήΜμΜΓ Lake Curling Club would be responsible for the facilityβs operations and maintenance.
When the Lakeside Multiplex was built in 2014, the village took over operation and maintenance of the entire recreation complex, including the curling rink, and the curling club started paying an hourly rate of $83.60 + GST for ice rental. The curling club and the village also entered into a lease agreement for the upstairs lounge area with the curling club paying approximately $30,000 in capital improvements to the upstairs lounge in lieu of rent for the five-year term.
In a βletter to the editorβ last year, ΡΗΦήΜμΜΓ Lake resident Bob Saul, whoβs been involved with the curling club for approximately 60 years, expressed his discontent.
βWe ran if for almost 60 years with mostly volunteers and didnβt go hat in hand to the taxpayers,β he said. βWe now rent everything - our annual dues have had to increase because of this.β
According to the recreation organizational review, general feedback is that curling rink use has been dropping.
βSome think this is because ΡΗΦήΜμΜΓ Lake is a small town; others attribute this to the fact that the younger generation is not becoming involved,β states the review. βOne elected official noting that there is no junior curling club, another noting that the user fees are high and this could be a barrier to participation for some.β
In 2015, a total of 286 hours of ice time was booked while in 2016 it was 211 hours.
The review also notes that arena staff had a substantial learning curve when the village started maintaining the curling rink in terms of maintaining the ice, but that curling club volunteers helped staff and they have since developed a good relationship.
The curling rink is open three nights per week during the season and hosts four or five bonspiels per season.
The village recently released the full report of the recreation organizational review to the public after Lakes District ΡΗΦήΜμΜΓ filed a Freedom of Information Act request. ΡΗΦήΜμΜΓ Lake Mayor Chris Beach notes that the released document is still in βdraft formβ and contains βinaccuracies that require correction,β but does not clarify which parts of it are inaccurate.
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