ERIN — Council wants more information before it decides on a proposed new outdoor rink in town.
Earlier this week council decided to refer the idea of a new rink to staff for more consideration. The rink would be built in the Mountainview Parkette near the corner of Mountainview Crescent and Dianne Road in the Village of Erin.
At the meeting, resident Stephen Sargent put forward his idea for a rink, in a park near his home.
Sargent noted the opportunity for exercise at a skating rink.
“Essentially by building an outdoor rink, I don’t think I need to describe outdoor, physical activity is something we want to encourage,” Sargent said.
He presented a community rink as a great place for residents to socialize, whether those residents are children or adults.
“But in particular, a community rink is somewhere where residents can meet one another and get together with one another, chat with one another, kids can meet and skate with other kids,” Sargent said.
He also noted that a rink is a place where good memories are made.
“Joining a game of pickup shinny is always something that I think kids remember from their childhood, if they had that opportunity,” Sargent said.
Councillor Bridget Ryan believes in the idea of a new, outdoor rink in Erin.
“I think this is exactly what our community needs as we grow – more opportunities for kids to be visible and things to do,” Ryan said.
However, there currently are concerns with the potential new rink.
“My concern would be insurance and costs. And I think that idea of looking at further is a good one,” Ryan said.
Staff will report back to council.
Jesse Gault is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
