Quote:
Originally Posted by JakeNB
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The stipulation that it's to be used for "ball hockey only" is hardly something that's set in stone.
Quite simply, this a hockey facility that could be used for ball hockey, roller hockey, and even ice hockey provided there is a liner and a plan to keep it periodically flooded and maintained. Even if it was only used for 50 or so of the coldest days per year, it's well worth the investment. Plus, adding a roof not only eliminates the DTI's issues with it being it flooded during the winter, it opens up the facility to be used on rainy days, of which Saint John has
many.
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The city currently wastes thousands every year on man hours, equipment costs, and wastes all kinds of water trying build up the ice level at Lily Lake by pumping water on top of a frozen lake. This costs the city way more per year than it would cost to put down a liner at the Memorial Cup Legacy facility and periodically flood it for use as an outdoor hockey and skating rink for the winter. Lily Lake has barely remained open more than a week per year, because the 18" ice requirement for their heavy equipment is very difficult to maintain.
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This facility in question already cost $500,000. So why not spend a little more and put a roof on it?
Such an investment in a nearby recreational asset would certainly align with the port's community investment priorities, especially in that area around Long Wharf and the Harbour Passage that they have invested so much into in recent years.
Maybe the Port could even help get a proper chiller installed at this facility one day! But for now, I think installing a roof should be the priority for this important public recreation facility, which is currently closed during the winter season and unable to be used on rainy days.
I think there's a raft of partners that would be proud to step up and get something done to improve this facility with the installation of a roof, but the Port certainly comes to mind at the top of the list of partners, given the location of this facility.
Would be a great photo opportunity too... people playing outdoor hockey with the Marco Polo Replica and Port Saint John in the background on a cold winter day. I've always thought it would be great for the Port to re-invest in a new "Mill Pond Rink" on the West Side, there's lots of room for a new rink at Market Place West, and
one did used to be there not too long ago.
Perhaps the City could provide the boards from the Belyea Arena and we could have outdoor hockey rinks on both sides of the Harbour thanks to the port!
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