MINTO – Youth and amateur sports at the arenas in Harriston and Palmerston will soon be streamed online.
On July 8, Minto council signed a three-year agreement with LiveBarn Inc., a Quebec-based live and on-demand streaming service.
The company offers an automated streaming service via subscription at arenas, using an unmanned camera, typically installed over the timekeeper’s box at centre ice.
The focus is on both youth and amateur sports, mainly hockey, and it caters to those who physically can’t attend the arena.
“We’ve had a request from Minto Minor Hockey and the Southeast Surge organizations regarding LiveBarn Inc.,” town director of community services Matthew Lubbers told council.
LiveBarn has an agreement with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association with the two closest locations being Drayton and Milverton.
“But I believe in Ontario alone they are in over 100 municipalities,” Lubbers explained.
He said the three-year term is typically how long an internet service contract is and it comes at no cost to the town.
“They’ll be paying for [the service] on their own because they’ll need their own dedicated internet to make this work,” he said.
All user groups can choose to have their activities recorded or not.
“There’s very little responsibility on our part,” Lubbers said.
“I did reach out to Mapleton because they had it for the last ice season.
“The only thing you have to be wary of is if someone doesn’t want their activities recorded, there’s … a button you push and it stops.”
All up-front and ongoing equipment and maintenance costs would also be the responsibility of LiveBarn.
Council unanimously approved the agreement.
