Potential Arena Rental Rate Increases Causing Concern Among Manitouwadge Residents
MANITOUWADGE, ON – A plea has been posted on several Facebook groups relating to Manitouwadge regarding the community ‘s only indoor arena (and only public skating surface). A local resident is concerned with a rate increase allegedly being considered by Town Council at tonight’s regular meeting; one which would, if accurately described, would be a substantial increase for those renting the arena.
At the time of publishing OntarioNewsNorth.com was not able to confirm the facts, as stated in the message below (posted to public Facebook groups/pages), that an increase from $75.20/day to $40.49/hr for users renting the arena, are accurate however the meeting is scheduled for tonight at 7pm and is open to the public so those interested in more information wanting to hear the facts as they are presented need only attend.
It will be interesting to see, if Community Services Manager Paula McCloskey presenting a proposal to increase arena rates so drastically is part of tonight’s Council meeting, how it will be received by council and whether there will be any interest, by the newly elected Council members, in hearing from potential users prior to making a decision. [CLICK for tonight’s agenda: MtwdgeCouncilDec10_2014–Agenda]
Manitouwadge Minor Hockey is the only youth sport available for those wanting to compete in a skating discipline in Manitouwadge as the one time Figure Skating and Speed Skating clubs, managed by volunteers, folded years ago and Community Services Director Paula McCloskey told OntarioNewsNorth.com in an interview a number of years ago that it would be up to residents to re-organize the clubs as she did not feel it was the role of Community Services to coordinate these types of programs.
Manitouwadge Town Council, unlike many neighbouring councils, has not usually included any opportunity for audience members to ask questions or contribute their opinions during OR after regular council meetings. In the past 4 years, Council members rarely had ‘time’ to hear from the public in the moments after the open portion of their meeting, typically using the closed session which followed as a convenient excuse to quickly rush out of the council chambers and avoid any conversation with the audience or attending media. Perhaps the newly elected council will follow practices used by other Councils on the Northshore and either find an appropriate time to open the floor to the general public or, as was often done by Schreiber’s Town Council, request comments from those in attendance when appropriate on matters the council felt public input might be useful.
Click to enlarge.
