BARRHEAD- Users who want to rent the Barrhead Agrena's ice-rink this summer will have to shell out more money to do so.
After a March 9 in-camera discussion, Town of Barrhead councillors voted to increase the summer hourly rental rink rate by $20. The old rate for users living within the Barrhead community was $139.20 per hour, while the non-resident rate was $149.90 per hour.
"Council thought it would be fair and equitable to increase the rate," CAO Edward LeBlanc said.
In early February, councillors voted to remove the ice from the arena, citing that they did not know when the province would allow recreational facilities to open.
Municipal recreation facilities were allowed to open in a limited capacity under Stage 2 of the province's Moving Safety Forward COVID-19 restrictions easing framework, but the town decided to keep its recreational facilities closed until the province enters Stage 4.
In Stage 4, restrictions could be potentially eased on amusement parks, indoor concerts, indoor and outdoor festivals and sporting events, trade shows, performance activities (including singing, dancing and wind instrument performances), day and overnight camps as well as wedding and funeral receptions.
Typically, the week-long process of installing the Agrena's ice is done in early to mid-August to accommodate summer hockey camps.
Fall/winter ice rates begin in September.
According to the recreational facility rates schedule, also known as Policy 72-002, weekday minor ice hourly rates before 9 a.m. are set at $94.30. Rates for ice-times considered the non-prime time or dark hours (from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) are set at $84 per hour. After 4 p.m., ice-time rates for minor ice groups increase to $107.10 per hour.
Adult recreation hockey for residents of the Barrhead municipalities is set at $179.90 per hour.
Minor ice groups include organizations such as the Barrhead Minor Hockey Association (BMHA) and the Barrhead Figure Skating Club.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
