Prescott is discussing cost of non-ice rental time at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.
At the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night, the committee voted to recommend that the non-ice rental time cost $50 per hour when there are no spectators. When spectators are present, it would cost $75 per hour. When spectators are present there would be a need for more staff available to work. For all day or multi-day events where there would be exclusive use of the arena for the day, it would cost $625 per day.
Matthew Armstong is the town’s CAO/Treasurer and says the ammonia has been removed and is not a safety risk for anyone using the facility. He adds there has also been air testing and the building has passed and improved railings for safety. Armstrong no additional capital is required and there has been some demand for rental time. Activities like pickleball, indoor soccer, hockey dry land training were discussed for some of the uses.
The committee also brought up the idea of a mid-season report from town staff back to council. It would cover how costs are going, how much it is being used and if there are any surprises over the winter.
Armstrong says with no ice the building they would not intend to heat the building more than it was before. He explains the vast majority of energy costs came from running ice plant so that would be a decrease in energy. He says with loss of $235,000 in revenue they are doing everything they can to offset that number. Mayor Todd mentioned the number is actually lower from cost savings already in operations.
Mayor Todd says they will need to heavily market the building as a place where people can use it for these activities and it will also be the first steps to establishing a year round community centre.
It was unanimous vote to recommend council approve this. The final vote will come at the next council meeting on October 29th.