ELORA – Centre Wellington council has agreed to close concession booths in the two arenas in the township.
The booths have become money-losing ventures over the past several years, manager of parks and facilities Matt Tucker told council on March 28.
Tucker cited an increased minimum wage, rising food costs and the preference of the public to buy refreshments at drive-thrus as the reasons.
He said with the Elora Community Centre undergoing renovations, staff is recommending the concession booth there be closed and instead construct a pass-through window from the kitchen for organizations that sometimes hold fundraisers in the arena.
At the Fergus sportsplex, staff recommends maintaining the space but finding an outside vendor or community group to take over the concession stand.
Tucker noted there are also vending machines in both facilities “and I want to make sure we do have a service for our customers,” he said.
He added staff is exploring ways to make the vending machines more profitable.
Councillors unanimously supported the motion.
“We’re competing against the private sector,” said Mayor Kelly Linton.
“I don’t think the taxpayer should be on the hook for this.”
