SF Council wants more information on Ice Stock multipurpose facility before approving funds

Craig Bakay | Jan 29, 2020

While the majority of South Frontenac Council supports a flat playing surface facility requested by the South Frontenac Stocksport Club, they’d like a little more information as to the multi-use aspects of the facility before committing $85,000 to it.

Actually, in its submission to Council last fall, the Stocksport Club said they’d commit to raising $25,000 of the total $100,000 price tag but CAO Neil Carbonne told Council staff could live with $15,000 from the club to start in order to get construction going in the spring rather than waiting for the full amount which could drop the start time to late summer.

Stocksport representative Karl Hammer told Council last fall that his group is applying to host the 2021 world championships, which would bring in significant visitors to the Township for such an international event.

Councillors Alan Revill and Ron Sleeth both had reservations about the project without knowing what other kinds of events the facility would support such as concerts, theatre in the park or perhaps even a farmers market (Dep. Mayor Ross Sutherland’s suggestion).

Many of the proposed uses would likely require a roof of some sort and since the final specifications for the facility were unclear, Council asked staff for a more detailed proposal before committing the funds.

The facility would be located in Harrowsmith’s Centennial Park.

“I think this gives us an opportunity to add another facility to our Township,” Sutherland said. “I’ve looked around for a good flat surface for things like cycle events and dog trials and there just aren’t any flat surfaces.”

“I do hear the concerns that there aren’t enough people participating in the sport to warrant a facility but if you don’t have a facility, you won’t have participants,” said Coun. Randy Ruttan. “I’m impressed with (the proponents’) enthusiasm and I support this.

Carbonne said that nothing would happen with the facility until the money from the club is received.

Senior Planner position approved, cap on private lane grants

Council approved the creation of a senior planner position, put a $7,000 per project cap on the private lane assistance program and a request for four noise bylaw exemptions for events at Desert Lake Resort between the hours of 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Town hall I Perth Road

Dep. Mayor Ross Sutherland and Coun. Randy Ruttan announced they’ll be holding a Town Hall meeting at Harris Hall in Perth Road Village on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m