Residents, Town to work together for new rink

Times Reporter

 

A group of Strathmore residents are looking to find land to be able to build an outdoor year round rink, that will house hockey in the winter and lacrosse in the summer. Debbie Mitzner, a longtime Strathmore resident and real estate agent, went before council on Jan. 5 to see if they would be able to allocate a section of land to build the rink. 

“There’s tons of money out there, we believe we can finance it up to 63 per cent and the rest can be raised by corporate and community donations,” said Mitzner. 

She said Strathmore is one of the only towns that does not have an outside facility in the area. The land the group is looking at is between the Curling Rink and the Family Centre at the north end of the parking lot. This way there would be Zamboni access and the rink could be used by the Agricultural Society. If the arena is constructed at the proper size of 85 by 200, it could be used for lacrosse and basketball, among other things.  Mitzner said they would like to see it as an outdoor arena so that it can be free for the community to use, similar to the skate park. She clarified that she was not there looking for funding for the project, but instead was only looking for land. 

“Nothing that needs to be maintained to a great extent or a cost,   said Mitzner. 

Councillor Sobol said his concern with the location Mitzner had proposed was that it is an area he had in mind for a third covered rink. Councillor Pat Fule asked if there were other areas on the Family Centre grounds they could easily expand to. Chief Administrative Officer Dwight Stanford said they have been discussing putting a rink in between the Family Centre and the Curling rink. He said another area they have been discussing is on the north side of the curling rink.

 “Those are about the only two spots that may be available,” said Stanford. 

The space between the Curling Rink and the Family Centre is owned by the Town but to build on the area north of the Curling Rink, the Town would have to work and discuss with the Ag. Society. If a deal could be worked out with the Ag. Society there would be room for both rinks, said Stanford. 

“I think it’s a great idea, we just got to find a spot for it,” said Sobol. 

There were two gentlemen who were in speaking to council regarding the same proposal. Mitzner said she was not sure who they were but was willing to meet with them and start planning ways to make things happen. Stanford recommended that members of the Ag. Society, Mitzner’s group and the Town get together and start figuring out ways to make it happen.