As a follow up to Jerome’s news article in regards to the closures of Germain and RBC 2, I encourage all to have their voices heard.
You can have you voice heard by emailing
[email protected] by January 17th.
Leanne Vidler attended the public session last night and reported back that many of the local hockey organizations made excellent presentations in favor of keeping the arena’s open.
Although I was not able to attend, I did write a letter and have received positive responses from Mayor Bradley and Councilors Kelch and McDougall. As Leanne indicated, regardless of what anyone has told you, this is not a done deal yet. All of the information presented at the Sessoin will be given to city Councilors. Your comments via email will also be sent to city Councilors and the mayor. This is your chance to be heard. The email address for you to send your thoughts and comments is
[email protected]
My own personal thoughts are the city should look at increasing revenues to mitigate the loses instead of just cutting arenas. There are many ways to increase revenues in the form of board advertising, increased concessions, leasing of hockey shops and a website with available ice so the passive user can purchase available ice time. As well, although there is available non-prime time during school hours there will not be enough prime ice time available for all those who want to play hockey. If we can raise $3.5 million for an Art Gallery, I am positive we can raise the same in advertising in the hockey arenas to keep them open.
Again, I encourage you to be heard.
Cory
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The city website containing the reports and documents can be found at... http://www.sarnia.ca/things-to-do/facilities/arena-management-strategy
Arena Management Strategy
City staff prepared an Arena Management Strategy for Council's consideration on November 28th. On Council's direction, the strategy has been posted to allow for public input. As background to the strategy, we have also posted the 2013 Ice Allocation Policy and the Arena Review completed in 2010.If you have any questions, comments or concerns with respect to the Arena Strategy, please provide them to the following email which has been established for public input –the email address is
[email protected] This email address will remain active until January 17, 2014, when all comments will be considered for a supplementary report to Council in February, 2014 on the arena management strategy.
A staff-led Public Information Session will be held on January 15, 2014 at 7:00p.m. in the Council Chambers of Sarnia City Hall. City staff is organizing the session to facilitate input into the strategy.