The winter skating trail in downtown Bracebridge appears to be on thin ice.
During the most recent Bracebridge council meeting, councillors received the head’s up that the Memorial Park Skating Trail may not proceed this winter.
Delivering his monthly report from the Business Improvement Association (BIA), councillor Barry Hammond said there had been some discussion of cancelling the trail this winter.
“With weather and budget…It doesn’t sound like it’s going to happen,” said Hammond. He added that the BIA would still like to see the project go ahead, and the matter will be brought back to the Town’s general committee before any final decisions are made.
Councillor Don Smith said many Town activities centre around the trail in the winter and he’s optimistic that a way forward can be found.
CAO Stephen Rettie said staff are currently working on a report to bring back to the Town’s general committee. He said the BIA is a major stakeholder in the project and they are being kept abreast of the process.
Unveiled to the public in January 2016, the Memorial Park Winter Village in downtown Bracebridge typically features an ice skating rink that wraps around the park and carves in and out of Bracebridge landmarks.
During the skating season last year, which did not start until the end of January, the Memorial Park skating trail was maintained by Muskoka Event Services, Correctional Services Canada and Town of Bracebridge staff.
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Dans Viking says
Town so broke paying for pet projects such as the $100,000 ‘viewing deck’ (in the middle of woods and nowhere) at Woodchester that they can’t afford the iconic and business drawing skating trail. Children don’t count in this Town. Only special interests count.
Gert Frobe says
Now we can’t pay for the basics in Bracebridge. Is this what happens when the Town blows tens of million on an arena and borrows the money at crippling interest rates. At current interest rates the town will have paid $150,000,000 or more for the pleasure palace after all paid for in 25 years if ever.this bill is paid. Makes zero sense.
Time for new management at Town Hall. Time for a new Mayor and MPP as these are the bosses who pushed it. Their puppets on Council should also be sent to pasture.
Scott free says
Why don’t you get a business to sponsor it, or businesses?
It is iconic , you really need to think this through, stop wasting money on new libraries and the stupid new arena that most residents don’t want or need.
Can’t help but feel a hidden agenda is in here somewhere.
Jack Lord says
How about a roll back on the huge pay increase the Mayor and Councillors gave themselves last year. It was 20-27%. More than enough money to pay for the skating trail. Perhaps Mr Hammond can introduce that at council?
Mac Redden says
Bracebridge can’t afford a pretty little skating trail?
The new arena complex is $40 million!!! over budget.
For some huge, ugly boxes.
$58 million vs $18 million expected. 3X+!! expected for local taxpayers.
I don’t remember any public consultation and approval of the massive cost increase before they proceeded to plunge Bracebridge into massive debt. At very high interest rates.
Since when do budgets matter at all to council?
Bracebridge opted for an unaffordable arena complex for a few over affordable housing for many.
Insane.
When King township is getting over DOUBLE the facility for $10 million LESS!!!
“The loans required will make Bracebridge one of Ontario’s top indebted communities.”
https://southmuskoka.doppleronline.ca/bracebridge-announces-more-donors-for-new-arena-complex/
For $10 million LESS than Bracebridge taxpayers are now burdened with, King township is completing a state-of-the-art, carbon neutral, fully accessible recreation complex with TWO!! NHL-sized ice surfaces, a six-lane 25-metre lap pool, a leisure pool, a multi-purpose athletic fieldhouse, and a multi-purpose community room.
Total $86 million minus $38.7 funded from the feds and the province.
king ca/townshipwiderecreationcentre
Some areas know how to get funding and value for money.
Bracebridge is not one of them.