posted on March 06, 2008

Toronto Sun: Keeping rinks open up in air

City staff fears it just might not be do-able

By: ZEN RURYK,
CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF
Published: March 5, 2008
Source: Toronto Sun

It would be difficult for municipal officials to comply with a last-minute decision by Toronto council to keep all of the city's 41 outdoor rinks open for March Break next week even if cold weather holds up, says the general manager of Toronto's parks department.

"It's not that we don't want to try to do it," said Brenda Librecz. "It's the issue of whether, technically, it's feasible to do it."

All but eight rinks closed Sunday and the remainder are scheduled to shut down March 16, the last day of March Break.

City council is poised today to address Councillor Case Ootes' call to ensure all outdoor rinks remain open --weather permitting -- when school kids get a break next week.

Librecz said she would have to re-hire seasonal rink workers who have already finished their stint with the city.

"I'm not sure we can get the staff back," she said.

Librecz said that the eight outdoor rinks earmarked to stay open have newer equipment that can withstand the longer days that accompany the arrival of March.

Rinks at Nathan Phillips Square, Mel Lastman Square and the Scarborough Civic Centre are among those slated for operation.

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