BONNYVILLE – The MD of Bonnyville has cleared the ice for an outdoor community rink in Ardmore.
Council decided during their April 8 meeting that the facility would be located on the Ardmore Community Society’s land, which is off of 52 Ave. near the Ardmore Community Campsite, and to enter into an agreement with the society for the rink.
The exact area was moved from the north boundary of the society's land to the south after the two groups determined it would be easier to build on.
“This would alleviate some of the considerable costs that would need to take place if we were to continue with the north boundary,” detailed Caroline Palmer, general manager of planning and development for the MD.
CAO Luc Mercier added, “We will use the existing laydown area that was used during construction for the old campsite area, that would be the proposed parking lot where we would do a little bit of landscaping and gravelling. We’d remove some trees and build the rink there, so there’s no additional infrastructure required at all."
Administration provided council with a list a pros and cons comparing the rink’s current location at Ardmore School to the proposed area.
Mercier believes the additional work needed to move the rink to the community society's land wouldn’t exceed $40,000, and the remainder of the project costs wouldn’t exceed the $1.26-million budget council set aside.
“When the request for proposals come in, all those costs will be shown to council so you know what you’re rewarding prior to award of the contract to the rink,” he explained.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, Coun. Ed Duchesne wasn’t sure if the municipality should be spending money on a project that can only be used during the winter.
“It seems in light of the fact that the government is downloading on us on a regular basis and all of a sudden these costs are going up and up, I don’t understand how we can build something so light-duty and seasonal for that kind of money.”
Coun. Dana Swigart argued the Ardmore and Cherry Grove outdoor community rinks, which are both in the planning process, are being designed to be utilized no matter what the season.
“Both of the rinks aren’t going to be seasonal. We’re trying to develop a system so that these can be used year-round and just not for skating. But, of course for skating in the winter and the summer you can use them for whatever you want; flea markets, car shows, or whatever because you have a covered surface and a concrete surface to work from. I think it’s a good benefit to both communities,” he expressed.
Council passed a motion during their April 1 meeting to begin negotiations with the Cherry Grove Agricultural Society for a rink to be constructed on their land and will begin a similar process with the Ardmore Community Society.
The conversations about upgrading the current rinks located in the hamlets began roughly a year ago. Construction on the projects are tentatively scheduled to begin in June. The municipality is hoping to have the rinks completed by October of this year.
