Centre Wellington sets new ice allocation policy
CENTRE WELLINGTON – With ice rental in such high demand, council has agreed to separate its indoor facility allocation policy into two.
The ice allocation policy will apply to ice pad rentals only and the recreation facility allocation policy will apply to non-ice facilities like fields, gymnasiums and halls.
Matt Tucker, manager of recreation facilities, told council on Feb. 23 that the three arenas (two in Fergus, one in Elora) are operating at 99 per cent capacity.
Tucker said the old indoor facility allocation policy,
established in 2008, was enough for a time.
But “as participation in organized sport and recreation increased, competition for prime ice time also increased.
"Today, demand for ice far exceeds availability, making it difficult to manage ice allocation within a single, generalized facilities policy,” he wrote in his report.
Ice pad users include:
- Grand River Girls Minor Hockey;
- Centre Wellington Minor Hockey;
- Fergus Skating Club;
- Elora Skating Club;
- Elora Fergus Ringette;
- Fergus Whalers Jr. C Hockey; and
- Elora Rocks Sr. A Hockey.
The township also consulted with the following organizations on its new facility allocation policy:
- Highland Rugby;
- Centre Wellington Softball;
- Fergus Elora and District Soccer;
- Centre Wellington Minor Lacrosse;
- Elora Hawks Jr. A Lacrosse; and
- Fergus Thistles Jr. C Lacrosse.
According to the new ice allocation policy, “no new user groups will be accommodated until additional ice capacity is developed, or existing groups reduce their demand.
"Ice allocation in one season does not guarantee the same allocation in future seasons.”
The only exception to the rule is applications from “equity-deserving” groups, which will be considered by the managing director of community services and ice allocation may be adjusted to accommodate such groups.
Council approved the two policies.
