A new community program, allowing outdoor ice rinks to be built in city-owned neighbourhood parks, is up for discussion on Monday, September 15.
Sarnia council will consider approving guidelines for the public to develop and operate the skating rinks for the upcoming winter season.
Mayor Mike Bradley thinks the guidelines are "a bit too much."
"At first glance, the idea is a great one," said Bradley. "We've had neighbourhoods over the years, and individuals, that have created ice rinks in city parks and this would give them the right to move forward. I have to say though, after reviewing the rules and all of the things the individuals have to do... I think we need to make it simpler."
If approved, applicants would have to provide the city with proof of up to $2 million in general liability insurance and have a minimum of 10 community members prepared to actively participate in the project.
"The whole issue of insurance... the city has insurance," Bradley noted. "[I wonder] why it can't go through them instead of putting it back on the individual to get it, getting waivers and the number of people you have to get to support your project. I just think it needs to be much more simpler."
Applicants would also have to source their own water to create and maintain the rinks for the initial year, while staff explored permanent water sources.
Sarnia council asked staff to implement a program back in January, after receiving complaints about a rink built in Wiltshire Park.
"Not to be naive that there are always issues with the use of city parks, and insurance, and incidents," said Bradley. "In this case, I think, it's just way over complicated to what we really wanted as a council when we authorized this in January. [We wanted] to move forward [and] delegate the authority to staff, but I was expecting the delegation to be very, very, simple. To allow people to do it with our insurance covering them and trying to work with them."
If endorsed, applications would be received, reviewed, and approved by the manager of Recreation and Parkland Planning Services.
You can read the proposed policy here.