posted October 24, 2007

This proposal was superseded by the MasterCard donation.

posted August, 2007

Alternative Proposals to Closing Rinks

from CELOS, Centre for local research into public space, in response to the budget crisis of 2007-2008

See also What Needs Fixing and How to fix it.

City Council has said that outdoor rinks will not open until January 2008 as a cost-cutting measure. Here's a better plan. The following proposals would save rink service, while costing very little.

A workable short-term rink plan:

Open the following twelve rinks on November 16:

See map below for distribution of these.

1. Rennie Rink (double pad, hockey league, closest to Etobicoke)

2. Dufferin Rink (double pad)

3. Wallace-Emerson Rink (double pad, women's hockey)

4. Harry Gairey Rink (double pad, NHL Hockey in the Neighbourhood))

5. Hodgson Rink (double pad)

6. Ramsden Rink (double pad)

7. Jimmie Simpson Rink (single pad, NHL Hockey in the Neighbourhood)

8. Greenwood Rink (double pad)

9. Dieppe Rink (double pad)

10. Kew Rink (single pad, high usage, closest to Scarborough)

11. Nathan Phillips Square (single pad, high usage, city square)

12. Mel Lastman Rink (single pad, high usage, city square)

Maintenance: permanent staff only. Note that this is one less rink than the City kept open with permanent staff only in March 2006. All rinks operated by roving operators, zambonis stay at rinks. Snow shovels available at all rinks, shovelling supervision by rink guards. Ice quality can be good.

Rink staffing: casual rink staff.

Income to help with rink staffing costs:

1. every rink should aim to get $2000 permit income per rink (permits only after 9 pm -- high demand and no interference with youth/child shinny hockey). Senior city outdoor rink staff, indoor arena staff, and the "Save Our Rinks" network can help with publicity, to find the permit groups.

2. have rink staff sell canned/bottled drinks and pre-packaged snacks (minimum) at every rink. Dufferin Rink staff can help set this up. Net income per rink for December: $1000 - $3000, depending on usage.

Follow-up rink plan:

Open the remaining outdoor rinks on Dec.22. Close all rinks on the last Sunday in February (save energy costs by not staying open in March).

Long-term rink plan:

Improve outdoor rink operation beginning this winter, to gain more users, use less energy, have better ice maintenance, attract more permit revenue.

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Map of proposed early opening rinks for 2007.

See also Map of Outdoor Rinks for all 49 Toronto owned outdoor rinks

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