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Burpee and Mills takes cue from Gordon, gives Gore Bay a donation for arena maintenance

WESTERN MANITOULIN—A second Western Manitoulin municipality has indicated that it will contribute a donation to the town of Gore Bay toward the operation of the Gore Bay arena, rather than making an annual contribution. Burpee and Mills township had been requested by the town council, as have Gordon/Barrie Island and Billings, to increase their share of funding provided and to contribute on an annual basis instead of an annual donation.

At a meeting last week, Gore Bay council had the opportunity to look at a motion that had been forwarded by Burpee and Mills Township council, indicating the township was going to contribute toward the operation of the arena in the town, on a donation basis. 

The Town of Gore Bay had requested that the three Western Manitoulin municipalities, increase their shares of funding provided and contribute on an annual basis as proposed under a shared service contribution plan for the Gore Bay Memorial Arena.

“It is what it is,” he stated Gore Bay Mayor Ron Lane.

Ken Noland, reeve of Burpee and Mills township told The Expositor later in the week, “We passed a motion to continue supporting the arena on an annual donation basis. We question some of the numbers Gore Bay provided in terms of the number of people from our township using the arena. That aside, residents from our township that use the arena have to drive half an hour in, and out of town, after using the arena.”

“Kids (and adults) in Gore Bay can walk to the arena,” said Reeve Noland. “Residents and kids in Burpee and Mills don’t have this type of access and have to drive into town to use the arena more than those residents in Gore Bay, so they are paying more for use of the arena. And the residents in Gore Bay probably use the arena three times more than Burpee and Mills residents.”

Reeve Noland pointed out free public skating provided at the arena was not used in the town numbers for users of the arena. “The arena brings people into town, which in turn supports businesses and makes the town more attractive for people moving there. Overall, there are more benefits to the town of Gore Bay than any of the outlying areas.”

Reeve Noland noted that the amount of the Burpee and Mills donation this year will be a township council decision to be made during is budget deliberations.

As was reported previously, on November 27 a Western Manitoulin shared services meeting was held with officials from the three municipalities, at Gore Bay requested that each council consider a contribution change from an annual donation to an annual contribution based on participation rates of residents in the three municipalities, in support of the arena. The townships were informed that currently Gore Bay provides $89,000 or 89 percent of the costs in operating the arena on a yearly basis and are looking to have this—based on participation rates from each of the four communities—decreased to $50,000 or 50 percent. Gordon/Barrie Island currently provides $7,000 or seven percent and the proposal was to see this increased to 23 percent or $23,000, Billings from 2.5 percent or $2,500 to $11,000, (11 percent) and Burpee and Mills from 1.5 percent or $1,500 to eight percent or $8,000.

Harry Schlange, town manager and clerk had explained previously he had originally been asked to do research as to who and many residents use the arena from each community) and he talked to the Western Manitoulin Minor Hockey Association, adult hockey, Charles C. Mclean Public School and others.

Beyond the town paying the majority of the operating costs, it’s also paying all capital costs on the arena, explained Mr. Schlange. 

Recently, Gordon/Barrie Island council had passed a motion that it would continue to make a donation, increasing their contribution this year to $8,000. 

Article written by

Tom Sasvari
Tom Sasvarihttps://www.manitoulin.com
Tom Sasvari serves as the West Manitoulin news editor for The Expositor. Mr. Sasvari is a graduate of North Bay’s Canadore College School of Journalism and has been employed on Manitoulin Island, at the Manitoulin West Recorder, and now the Manitoulin Expositor, for more than a quarter-century. Mr. Sasvari is also an active community volunteer. His office is in Gore Bay.