THUNDER BAY — A survey answered by nearly 5,000 Thunder Bay residents shows strong opposition to a proposal to shutter the majority of city’s outdoor ice rinks.
The City of Thunder Bay had launched the survey over the summer in an effort to gauge residents’ support for the proposal, one of a number of service cuts contemplated by city council in an attempt to trim spending.
The proposal would close 31 of the 39 outdoor rinks maintained by the city, or just shy of 80 per cent, saving an estimated $365,000 per year.
The city has been considering closing lesser-used outdoor rinks for some time, with staff reporting declining usage based on periodic counts. Staff have suggested focusing on fewer rinks would also allow workers to establish better ice quality at remaining locations.
The city received an impressive 4,763 responses to the survey, which was open to the public through its Get Involved system between Aug. 18 and 27.
Of that total, 93 per cent were not in favour of the proposed rink reductions, with just seven per cent in favour.
Of the respondents opposing the closures, more than half provided written comments, with around 30 per cent of those comments suggesting a compromise to close fewer rinks, the city reported.
The top two reasons cited for opposing the closures were that the rinks provide important winter recreational opportunities, and rinks need to be spread throughout the city to remain accessible.
Those in favour of the proposal to reduce rinks commented primarily that the rinks are not used enough and the city needs to save money.
Eighty-one per cent of survey respondents indicated they are outdoor rink users.
City council will consider the results of the survey at a meeting on Monday.
