Creemore arena opening ‘unrealistic’

It is unrealistic that the Creemore Arena will open this year, said general manager of parks, culture and recreation Terry Vachon.
He told council that he would be bringing forth an evaluation of arena operations in the coming weeks but said, with all staff being deployed to the Stayner Arena to meet protocols for safely allowing that ice surface to operate, hiring would be necessary in order to open Creemore. With further restrictions expected to come down from the province, it is not known if that would be a wise move.
“Clearview is fortunate that we have two arenas and that we can merge the staff into one,” said Vachon. “If we only had one arena… we would have had to hire more, which would have been a burden on the taxpayer.”
Vachon said five maintenance staff are needed to keep the Stayner Arena open, and that is with successful fogging of disinfectant and the full cooperation of all arena users.
As it is, Vachon said the township is breaking even cost wise.
Deputy Mayor Barry Burton suggested that the township facilitate the creation of outdoor skating rinks in communities that don’t already do so, usually in partnership with local firefighters.