An area not-for-profit organization is seeking county support for its arena.
Zack Olthuis, Caleb Wierenga and Mike Nanninga were among the five-person delegation representing the Linaria Agricultural Society who spoke with County of Barrhead councillors and sought financial support for the society’s arena complex Aug. 15.
On a motion from Coun. Bill Lane, councillors voted to accept the delegation’s report as information.
Established in 1972, Wierenga said the society has been able to maintain its arena, curling rink, community hall and seniors centre for forty years.
However, due to unforeseen increases in heating expenses last winter, he said the society is facing the possibility of having to close the arena’s doors.
“The arena complex is used extensively in the winter months providing ice for commercial men’s and women’s hockey teams, fun hockey teams and lacrosse teams,” Wierenga said, adding while grants are limited and costs are rising, the society has done its best to keep ice affordable for area residents.
Wierenga said the complex is used six-and-a-half days per week, from November to March and noted that since opening the facility in 1979, it has been operated without any outside financial help.
“Unfortunately, due to unseasonably warm temperatures, we saw our fuel costs rise from an average of $8,000 per year to $25,800. We also encountered some unforeseen infrastructure costs including the replacement of our generator and this resulted in a budget shortfall of nearly $29,000,” Wierenga said, adding if the society cannot find a way to bridge the gap before the next season it is likely they will be forced to close the arena’s doors.
Wierenga said he understood the County of Barrhead contributes towards recreational services with the town.
“We looked into our own user base for the arena and among our 245 regular ice users, 152 of them are from the county,” he said, adding it was for this reason the delegation came before council.
Olthuis agreed.
“We do casinos and receive base grants, host fundraisers and we’ve made it this far on our own but now we have no choice but to approach councils. If it wasn’t for the grants and casinos, we probably would have had to shut the doors nearly 15 years ago,” he said.
Coun. Darrel Troock noted that the arena fell under the Westlock County’s jurisdiction and wondered if they had been approached.
“They [Westlock County] have been very disinterested in the prospect,” Olthuis said, adding the society has also approached both the federal and provincial governments to limited success.
“Our facility is in perfect working order and it’s debt free with the exception of this year’s unexpected shortfall,” he said.
Coun. Dennis Nanninga questioned whether it was prudent for the county to contribute to a facility not within their boundaries.
“Traditionally we have tried to be available to help with capital but our plan to operate is with the belief that volunteer groups should operate in such a way that users pay,” Nanninga said, adding he believed council should be informing Westlock County of its residential organizations approaching other municipalities for financial assistance.
Reeve Doug Drozd agreed.
“I appreciate the challenge they are under but as part of the new Municipal Government Act, we’ll be expected to make agreements with all of our neighbouring municipalities, including the counties and we’ll be having discussions wherein we bring all of the organizations attached, such as the Linaria Agricultural Society, in an effort to reach recreational agreements on a regional basis.”
