WINCHESTER – At their regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 15, North Dundas Council were once again confronted with having to consider the cost of short-term repairs to an important part of the community’s recreation infrastructure.

Meaghan Meerburg, Director of Recreation and Culture presented Council with a report detailing the cost of repairing the roof at the Joel Steele Community Centre, which the Sam Ault arena is a part of. The cost of the repairs was expected to be $62,000 plus HST, with any shortfall of funds necessary to complete the repair be taken from the general reserve with a commitment to replenish this Reserve as part of the 2025 budget.

“As council is aware, the roof on the Sam Ault Arena has been experiencing water infiltration issues during rainy weather or milder climates when the snow melts on the roof,” said Meerburg. “Water infiltration freezes on the ice surface creating small bumps. The drips can also cause small holes in the ice pad and if the water digs deep enough, it can go through the whitewash layer and down to the concrete which leaves dark spots on our ice. The paint can migrate within the holes and with the water so it comes up through the water and the holes also have soft edges around them so these issues can create small dull finishes across the Ice which has a capability to impair skaters.”

The 2024 budget included $49,500 for required repair work. Based on the cost estimates received, Meerburg said the estimate was that the project would be approximately $12,500 over budget. “The repair work is anticipated to last three to five years,” added Meerburg. “Staff are seeking council’s direction in order to proceed.”

Council had several questions regarding the repairs. The first to speak was Councillor John Lennox.  “Should we expect this number to drastically increase with every year that goes by because it is an old building and we may patch a hole here but next season there may be three others on the opposite end, on the north end for example?”

Meerburg stated that this is a possibility. “The idea at this point is to get us three to five years. That sounds satisfactory to our staff team because the goal is to have the recreation and culture strategic plan presented to Council in December or January and get some direction for the facility. So, we’re looking for a fix for right now to get us a few, through a few years as bridge option.”

Deputy Mayor expressed the eagerness on behalf of council to see what the Recreation and Culture Strategic Plan “I’m on the same line with Councillor Lennox,” said Deputy Mayor Bergeron. “We are really anxious to see what that master plan will be because you know this is patchwork, patchwork, patchwork, and its costly patchwork.

“I hope that the minor hockey leagues appreciate how much money that we’re putting in, you know, just for them to have their sport but it’s very expensive and even though I don’t like it, to me it’s like bad money after bad money until we actually do something concrete. At this point personally, I don’t see we have much choice because we have to have some ice for at least another couple of years until we decide what we will finally do.”

Councillor Gary Annable agreed with his Council colleagues, but indicated the cost of not dealing with the problem could be an issue as well. “Well, like Teresa just said, bad money after bad money, but if somebody were to trip and break a leg or something on one of those bumps that come in the ice… I think we’re pretty much obligated to address the issue so I’m in favour,” said Annable.

Mayor Tony Fraser offered the last word on the issue. “Just to make sure the minor hockey doesn’t suffer too much at this repair I just want to make sure it’s clearly understood is not strictly for minor hockey it’s for all users of the slab of the Sam Ault Arena year-round.

“I know during pickle ball when there’s a rainstorm outside, they’re pickle balling around the puddles and for the roller-skating night Friday nights, they put pylons as needed. It becomes a bit of a race course or an obstacle course to get around the pylons because of the rainstorms we’ve had this summer.

The motion to approve the expenditure of $62,000 was moved by Councillor Lennox, seconded by Deputy Mayor Bergeron and all were in favour.