Starting next year, there will be year-round ice at The Plex in Port Elgin.
Saugeen Shores council approved a recommendation during Monday’s committee of the whole meeting for a three-year pilot for 12-month ice at The Plex.
A report by the town’s director of community services Kristan Shrider says the three-year pilot is expected to create about $250,000 in revenue, while also leading to higher costs for staff and utilities.
“These are very expensive facilities. And anything we can do to reduce that net operating cost at the same time as enhancing services to our residents, I think is a net win,” says Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau. “Looking forward to seeing this … to all the users here in the room, and everyone far and wide who may be interested in using this facility, certainly encourage you to come out. Bottom line is it will now depend on the success over these three years … what will happen beyond that.”
Shrider’s report says existing offseason events at The Plex would be accommodated at Southampton’s Coliseum during the year-round ice pilot program.
Council still needs to formally approve the resolution at its next meeting.