Ear Falls Council has decided to shutdown its arena for the season.
A province-wide State of Emergency has forced the Township to remove the ice.
Mayor Kevin Kahoot says with COVID-19 and its impact on the local business community, they determined that keeping the arena open would be a burden that is unfair for taxpayers right now.
Kahoot says they looked at the current lockdown, where they have come from and what is projected when making the decision which he calls a “no-brainer”.
Kahoot notes they usually close the arena in mid-March.
He says it costs about $25,000 to $30,000 a month to keep the doors open during the winter and fall.
Kahoot stresses there’s still plenty of opportunity to stay active.
“Public Works Department is putting in a skating pad in the arena parking lot. We have a lot of space there. It’s just going to be a straight pad, there will be no changerooms or anything like that, but it’s well lit. Kids can get a little exercise just skating on an outdoor pad of ice.”
Kahoot says they are also starting a program where residents can hit the trail by picking up cross-country ski equipment.
He stresses both of those things will help people get outside and keep them active.