Adie Knox avoids getting benched this season

By Chris Mailloux

Every year during winter time most windsorites are concerned with the ice on the ground but there has been another type of ice on their minds lately.

The possibility of closing down the ice rink at Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex was brought up by city administration in a report card for efficiency for the 2015 budget. City council voted unanimously to keep it open for at least one more.

Ward 2 Councillor, John Elliot, said an important influence in making the decision came from the citizens who voiced their desires to keep the rink open.

“The west side was up in the house,” said Elliot. “But I think it was from people around the city, not just the west side. The community coming together and fighting for what they want is a good thing.”

According to Elliot one Windsor mother brought in a petition with over 2100 signatures, requesting to keep Adie Knox open. Elliot has been working with youths for years at the Sanwich Teen Action Group as the Executive Director. He said services like Adie Knox and STAG are grass roots programs for youths that help plant good seeds in their heads.

“They’re the leaders of tomorrow and if you’re not careful you’ll lost some good kids,” said Elliot. “They’ll fall through the gaps because we decided that we would take a program away from them because of money.”

According to Chief Financial Officer, Onorio Colucci, the city would have saved $50,000 if they closed the rink for half a year and $100,000 for the whole year.

“That obviously will be an incremental cost of 100,000 for us,” said Colucci. “But again that was able to be fit with in the existing tax levy so it will not cost an increase in total tax levy.”

It will take planning and work to make sure Adie Knox stays open when the discussion comes back for the 2016 budget. Elliot said there are plans to meet with the groups that use the centre to make sure they work efficiently to keep it going.

“Now is the time to sit down at tables and start planning long term because at the short term we’re in trouble,” said Elliot. “We need to bring everyone together around the same table and make sure these programs are affordable, feasible and that they’re going to last and be there.”

Elliot also said he was impressed when Ward 6 Councillor Jo-Ann Gignanc made the motion to keep the rink open. Adie Knox falls under Elliots ward and he was happy to see a Councillor who lives in a different ward make the motion to keep it. Elliot said it’s important to protect the core services that support our community.

“One of my points was to get back to basics,” said Elliot. “Let’s fix the leaky roof before we invest in our futures.”

It will be up to city councillors to decide whether or not to keep the ice rink open again next year when discussions about the 2016 budget begin. For now windsorites can enjoy the fact that the local hockey rink will keep running for at least one more year.