GORE BAY—Gore Bay council has given its approval to explore partnering with neighbouring municipalities in Western Manitoulin to fund the operations of the Gore Bay Memorial Arena in a more equitable fashion, beginning in 2025 and looking at the feasibility of a new multi-use facility for the long-term.
“It is about being fair and equitable,” stated Harry Schlange, town manager/clerk at a council meeting last week. “There needs to be fairness, equity in running/operating the arena. And from a participation rate, the western municipalities should be paying a fairer portion.”
Mr. Schlange explained the municipalities in Western Manitoulin have all worked well together and provide a number of shared services to their residents. This has developed the capacity to provide services at a much lower cost and an increased level of service versus each municipality providing the service on their own. He pointed out the municipal partnership includes providing services at the transfer station, landfill, provincial offences office, fire department, cemetery, Manitoulin Planning Board, library services, Gore Bay airport and ‘chief building official.
“There have been a number of other projects that have been done jointly between municipalities such as the new terminal building at the airport and the successful recruitment of family physician(s),” said Mr. Schlange.
The costs of these shared services have been primarily costed out to each municipality by either population or weighted assessment (besides the cost of the shared chief building official, which is based as a percentage of the average construction value over three years).
Gore Bay has resourced and funded some specific initiatives that benefit all residents in Western Manitoulin, such as capital enhancement and maintenance of the medical centre which houses the doctors, dentist and other professional health care professionals. Mr. Schlange noted the town has provided “administrative oversight over the past several years on the $4 million airport terminal project, all of the project management to ensure the long term care nursing home remains in Western Manitoulin including assuming the risks associated with owning the current building, working with the current provider to transfer their license to St. Joseph’s Health Centre, project management of the zoning for the project, creation of site plan agreements on the new build; Investing in the senior centre and child care centre in order to help keep the local school open; administration of memberships and maintenance of the fitness centre, providing recreational programming and amenities for youth and adults, improving the POA service, which is forecasted to have its first surplus in 2024 after years of operating at a deficit, and government relations with the Ministry of Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Health, and the Attorney General to ascertain provincial support for these initiatives.
“If you look at the long-term care home 95 percent of the residents are from Western Manitoulin,” said Mr. Schlange.
“When you look at the arena, it opened in 1949 and the town has made a number of significant capital investments over the last five decades to improve the facility.”
“Over the past 18 months, the town has invested over $100,000 in essential improvements. The town has also undertaken a structural review in 2024 of the building, the results of which, are expected to require some additional capital improvements,” said Mr. Schlange.
And the forecast for the future, is that a new ice resurfacer is required in the next few years (at a cost of approximately $75,000). The Friends of the Arena group are working diligently to raise funds to assist us in some of these costs.”
Mr. Schlange noted the arena is a hub of activity for youth and adults year-round. The Western Manitoulin Minor Hockey Association consists of approximately 120 participants (including players and coaches). The C.C. McLean school’s population of 178 students also uses the arena weekly and there are a number of public skating sessions available as well as adult recreational hockey, mixed and sportsmen leagues that make up an estimated range of 40-50 players.
The Frosty Cup benefit tournament was started in 2014 and has been held annually since. All of the funds raised from this tournament are distributed to Western Manitoulin residents and families in need. And the Porter Clark Purvis Thibault memorial tournament has been held annually since 1982 with proceeds distributed back to the Western Manitoulin Minor Hockey League.
In June, the Western Manitoulin town managers/clerks and reeves/mayors met to discuss the way the arena is funded (operationally). Historically, the operations of the arena are funded solely by Gore Bay, with donations provided by the neighbouring municipalities. This process does not align with the other services which are allocated costs based on population or weighted assessment, the council was told.
“There needs to be more equity,” said Mr. Schlange, noting the town’s concerns have been raised to the other municipalities that a donation is not a fair allocation, and Gore Bay has to shift to an annual contribution in order to sustain this important recreational hub in Western Manitoulin. It was agreed the town would come back to the group in the fall with some payment allocation options based on population or participation.
Mr. Schlange explained the annual operating cost of the Gore Bay arena is $100,000. Of this the town pays $89,000 (89 percent), Gordon/Barrie Island $7,000 (seven percent), Billings $2,500 (2.5 percent) and Burpee and Mills 1.5 percent ($1,500)
As for a proposed annual contribution based on participation rate, “When you look at the participation rate of 120 players, 50 percent are from Gore Bay so we should only be paying 50 percent, $50,000, with Gordon/Barrie Island at $23,000 (23 percent), Billings at $11,000 (11 percent) and Burpee and Mills $8,000, or eight percent. The proposed annual contributions based on population would see Gore Bay paying a share of $32,000 (32 percent), Gordon/Barrie Island $24,000 (24 percent) Billings $29,000 (29 percent) and Burpee and Mills $15,000 (15 percent).
“There needs to be a fairness in operating this facility,” said Mr. Schlange.
“These are all good selling points, but I think it’s going to be a tough sell to the other municipalities,” said Councillor Ken Blodgett.
“There has to be value in providing a place to keep youth off the street,” said Mayor Ron Lane, and providing building capital for healthier lifestyles. And it is a year-round facility.”
Mayor Lane noted that when the meeting with the municipal representatives took place in June, it was a matter of breaking the ice. Everyone commented on their (already high) tax bills. The time has come when the town is providing services beyond Gore Bay that there is compensation for this. We shouldn’t have to beg for more support. There are lots of things we share, and this should be on the list as well.”
Mayor Lane also noted, “the arena is 75 years old and is not going to last forever. We need to look at the feasibility and location of a new building. We will try to find funding partners for a facility that is not just for hockey or skating but a multi-purpose facility. Little Current-Howland, years ago, built its own recreation centre. We need to start looking ahead and see if a new building location can be found and the feasibility of it.”
It was suggested that the four municipalities initiate a joint task force in 2025 to look at the feasibility of a new multi-use facility in an agreed-upon location for the long-term.
Council gave its approval for partnering with the neighbouring municipalities on Western Manitoulin to fund the operations of the Gore Bay Arena in a more equitable fashion, effective in 2025. Council also approved the creation of a joint task force in 2025 to look at the building of a new multi-use facility in an agreed-upon location for the long-term.
