Many towns and cities have had the opportunity to install a refrigerated ice rink. Such a rink makes it possible to extend and promote the practice of skating and ice hockey for the entire surrounding population.

North Hatley will also have this opportunity, thanks to a million-dollar donation from the Pollock family. What’s more, the government probably subsidizes part of this kind of project.

However, I wonder about the after-installation of this refrigerated rink.

It’s one thing to build and install a refrigerated rink, but then you have to maintain it. What are the costs involved in operating such an ice rink?

By the way, if I understand correctly, you need a zamboni! I don’t know if this is related, but I actually saw a blue zamboni in the parking lot of Parc des Rivières less than two years ago.

In doing a bit of research, I found that the annual maintenance costs are significant. We’re talking $100,000 to $130,000 a year. The variation can be explained by whether or not a roof has been put on, and undoubtedly the level of use has an impact on the frequency of maintenance. In fact, if only a few people use it, there’s no need to use the zamboni every day.

Municipalities that have installed such a refrigerated rink are also seeing high visitor numbers. In fact, people come from all over to enjoy the rink. What’s more, most are illuminated, so they can be used until 9 p.m., 7 days a week.

In fact, the blue-white-red foundation, which donates money to install refrigerated rinks across Quebec, is itself working to better equip cities and municipalities to forecast their operating budgets so as to avoid unpleasant surprises.

In fact, the City of Sherbrooke indicates that the operating budget today (2018) is $85,000 more than the initial budget (2015). No doubt the cost in 2025 is even higher than $130,000.

If North Hatley’s population looks like this :

Population & Structure

  • Population: 675
  • Density: 201.5 inhabitants/km² on 3.35 km² of land
  • Average age: 57.6

Age distribution (2021)

50% of North Hatley residents are aged 55 and over. Also, part of the population is seasonal.

Age rangePop.% total
0–14 years9514,0 %
15–24 years456,6 %
25–34 years456,6 %
35–44 years659,6 %
45–54 years608,8 %
55–64 years11016,2 %
65+ years26038,2 %

If we’re optimistic and forecast the rink’s annual operating costs at $100,000, that’s $148.14 per citizen per year. Of course, the costs will undoubtedly be lower, and the municipality has undoubtedly planned a revenue model to reduce expenses. Well, the intermunicipal conflict with Hatley Township isn’t ideal and, I believe, the refrigerated rink in North Hatley is smaller and covered, which means lower operating costs than the refrigerated rink in Sherbrooke.

However, as a result of my research, I have three questions:

  1. What is the projected annual operating budget for the refrigerated rink?
  2. Will the refrigerated rink be accessible free of charge only to North Hatley residents, and will there be a charge for non-residents? Has the price of access been planned? // It helps to budget 😉
  3. How much traffic is expected once the rink is installed?

An ice rink like this generates a lot of interest. It will attract people from surrounding areas. We’ll need to monitor, maintain, park cars and use the washrooms, in addition to managing the refrigerated rink’s infrastructure and equipment.

When I last visited the Town Council to discuss the issue of paid parking, I realized that planning and budgeting were not the strengths of our elected officials. No doubt, since then, our elected officials have learned to plan for the future operation of such projects and their impact on North Hatley’s environment and its citizens.

On that note, I’m really looking forward to having a well-maintained refrigerated skating rink this winter. In fact, all my family and friends are already dreaming of visiting us to try it out. They ask me if there will be tournaments and field hockey leagues. To be honest, I don’t know what to tell them.

Sure, it’ll be great for boosting tourism during the winter season.

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