Hockey town whistles offside for proposed Midland ice-fee spike

Midland’s 2022 budget isn’t set in stone so some North Simcoe residents tried to paint a picture for council of just how painful proposed user-fee hikes could be.

At a recent committee of the whole meeting, Midland council held a public meeting and spent over two hours addressing the concerns voiced by area residents. Through letters received and during the virtual meeting, council heard from over 30 contacts ranging from authoritative figureheads representing their associations down to curious individuals offering suggestions and seeking clarification.

The most vocal outcry came from members, participants and parents of the Midland Minor Hockey Association (MMHA) who addressed their concerns against a proposed 33 per cent user-fee hike to hourly youth ice rentals at the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre (NSSRC) under service level change requests.

Staff projected the fee alignment would increase revenue by roughly $300,000 annually for the facility built in 2004. User fees charged at the NSSRC are also lower than some municipalities within Simcoe County, and the proposal was aimed at matching user fees with Barrie for comparative services.

Many of the written submissions were variations of the same MMHA letter which stated that the proposed ice rate increase for youth groups would be from $154.18 plus HST per hour to $205.00 plus HST per hour, and could impact an “increase in the neighbourhood of $250 per player!” Likewise, callers of the public meeting reiterated the same message.

Colleen Baker, president of the MMHA, offered to work with staff toward a goal, which Mayor Stewart Strathearn requested she follow through so as to look at what it takes to run the facility.

“I think right now we’re looking at $1 million of subsidy to NSSRC through the levy,” stated Strathearn, “either through debt payments and/or tax levy to operate.”

Replied Baker, “We would be willing to work with staff if it means that we don’t have to raise our registration fees.”

Erin Kusek, vice president of the North Simcoe Girls Hockey Association, expected a slight increase, and called the 33 per cent hike in one year “ridiculous."

President Greg Craftchick of the Midland Minor Lacrosse Association requested clarification on the definition of the service level change form.

According to CFO Michael Jermey, service level change forms “are presented to council as an additional consideration that they can look at as a method of controlling the tax base, or for additional services or changes to services that they may wish to implement.”

Craftchick said of the 33 per cent increase: “For a small organization, you would run us right into the ground.”

President George Vadeboncoeur of the Midland Basketball Association (MBA) shared similar concerns.

Askennonia Senior Centre, located in the front corner of the NSSRC, also spoke through executive director Judy Contin who remarked that the facility would lose money if no one could use it rather than keep costs low for everyone, including the Boys and Girls Club of North Simcoe.

Not all comments were about the user fee increase, however.

BIA chair Scott Campbell chose parking for his allotted time, noting that the budget was "incentivising" municipal law enforcement to ticket downtown as justification by the town for hiring more staff and providing a $42,000 salary increase.

Rev. Catherine Barley spoke to affordable housing; Kevin Cowie gave a slideshow presentation on alternate calculations in budgeting focused on what the town can control; Cathy Greer and Rick Ignis of Community Reach offered transit solutions; and several residents shared general concerns and questions.

Resident Daniel Dickinson offered more of a general overview in suggestions, reminding council that in regards to wants and needs, the town should consider being run like a business with its own legal obligations.

“Sharing costs for things like culture and sports that many key people consider important but which are not basic needs,” said Dickinson. “Some people consider other people’s wants or needs to be frippery, and vice versa.”

Council accepted the comments of the correspondence and public meeting, and will hold three days of deliberations for debate and ratification of the 2022 Budget on January 26 through 28. Residents are being asked that those who are interested in attending the budget meetings contact the clerk’s office at [email protected] to pre-register, at which time a virtual Zoom link will be provided directly to them.

The correspondence for the public meeting is available in full in the council agenda on the town of Midland website.

Council meetings are held every third Wednesday, and can be viewed on Rogers TV cable channel 53, or through the livestream on the Rogers TV website. Archives of council meetings are available through Rogers TV and on the Town of Midland’s YouTube channel.