Whether or not management of the community suite program at Progressive Auto Sales Arena [PASA] is handed off to the Sarnia Sting will be discussed Monday.
City staff have compiled three options for Sarnia Council consideration; have community services staff manage the suite and report back in July with an updated policy on its operation, let the mayor and members of council run the program, or transition administration of the suite to the Sarnia Sting.
Mayor Mike Bradley said he doesn't support or recommend option two.
"I would hope that council wouldn't get directly involved in the operation," said Bradley. "But, I think the real issue for me is this... that the use of the suite went down significantly, even as we exited from COVID. I think it's because we need to remind the public that the suite is there and it's available for nonprofits and other groups to use, if they go through the proper process to get registered."
Bradley said the community suite has been a huge success since it was first adopted in 1999, but during the 2022-2023 regular season the suite was unused for 14 per cent of games.
"We've never had any issues with it. It gave the opportunity for the community to participate in using a box at a Sting event, or concerts, or whatever, and it's proven its value," he added. "At the present time, you apply to the city and then the Sting are involved in the distribution of the tickets."
Earlier this year, Sarnia council approved the Sting's request to manage the community suite during the playoff schedule.
The Sting organization said it wanted to ensure maximum use of the space.
