… too bad it’s about six months too late…
On Monday night, Councillor Keith Hull introduced a notice of motion to strike a task force to examine the future of the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena, including an examination of the historical and current economic impact to the downtown and community; establishing what the potential economic impact of the arena could be should it be refurbished with year-round amenities compatible with an arena; and establishing the economic and social impact of the location current occupied by the arena by re-purposing it into other uses that would potentially draw more people the downtown, and the community as a whole.
Nowhere in his motion does it say the Eddie Bush should close as an ice rink. Guess how his motion will be spun… (well, it was until I just wrote that. Now I’m sure there will be denials all around…)
Here’s the thing: this is work town council should have undertaken in conjunction with the Aug. 27 decision to build the domes. The direction of Hull’s motion is very similar to the thrust of the Central Park Steering Committee, when it recommended the town “establish a process to consider re-purposing options for the Eddie Bush facility.” Then again, the Central Park Steering Committee also suggested a twinned ice facility would be cheaper to operate, which, as we all know, is crazy talk…
Ummm…
Of course, that was back when the suggestion was to shut down the aging facility, given it’s now one of the oldest hockey arenas in the province. But now we’ve committed ourselves to keeping the old girl running until… until… well, whenever. We’re building our architectural membrane structure at Central Park, and running the Eddie Bush, and we don’t have the cash to commit to construct a replacement rink because this town needs (not wants) two functional ice rinks during the hockey season.
Well, we have the cash (sort of), and it’s likely council is about to commit about $1 million a year for the next three years to fix up the Eddie Bush. I have no idea how long those fixes will stretch out the life of the 65-year-old facility, and I hope some councillor asks the question so there’s a “scientific basis” to the decision. For instance, if it’s another 20 years (and council commits itself to shovelling away some nickels and dimes during that time to build a replacement rink), then maybe it’s worth it. If it’s anything less than 10 years, then I hope the Cone of Common Sense descends upon the council table and they decide to only put enough into the place to keep it operational, and use that $3 million toward the cost of constructing a new facility — even it is another ‘Dome’ — in five to 10 years’ time.
But back to Hull’s motion…
Sadly, it makes sense, and I say that because I fear the Eddie Bush Can’t Close Bogeyman™ will arise from its crypt below town hall and hover over the council table when it comes to making a decision on Feb. 11. Alternatively, it will also come down to a case of Protecting Taxpayers™ … just as we Protected Taxpayers when council decided not to spend $40,000 to hire a consultant to kick tires for a potential partner at Central Park — even though council passed a motion to that effect and put money in the budget (and just so I don’t have to get into another Facebook argument with Councillor Ian Chadwick, which has already cost him one beer, here’s a link to the March 5, 2012 agenda containing the staff report, and the resulting minutes. Please note it was an unanimous decision…).
Even though we’d be striking a volunteer task force of the community’s best and brightest, someone will raise the spectre of Out-Of-Town Consultants™ who will eventually be required. Again — no mention of outside help in Hull’s motion, but honest, somewhere down the road it will cost us money. Someone will be absolutely certain of it…
The Eddie Bush won’t last forever. I realize it’s sacrilegious to say that, but it’s the truth. But Keith Hull’s motion gives council the chance to do some future recreational facility planning, while at the same time charting a course that could see a post-ice Eddie Bush transformed a viable attraction for the downtown.
