The town of Fort Frances is looking to shut down one of its two ice rinks for the rest of the season.
The uncertainty of the provincial lockdown and one of the main users not expected to resume are playing into a proposal to remove the ice from the Ice for Kids Arena.
Recreation and Culture Manager Aaron Bisson admits it will mean less ice time for users.
“Based on pre-shutdown levels on one rink, we would be able to satisfy 80% of the ice time. There is a possibility that coming out of the lockdown, there will be a lesser requirement for ice time,” says Bisson.
Fort Frances Minor Hockey, the Fort Frances Girls Women’s Hockey Association and the Border Skating Club have all indicated a willingness to continue once the lockdown is lifted on February 11.
Bisson says the Fort Frances Lakers, the arena’s other big user, are uncertain about their season with the SIJHL currently on hold.
Councillor Andrew Hallikas agrees they have to be realistic about what the future holds.
“It’s very likely that lockdown is going to be extended, so I suspect that we will lose users. I think shutting down one ice surface is proactively a good and efficacious thing to do,” says Hallikas.
If approved, the Ice for Kids Arena could be melted next week.
