Any council decision on whether to return hockey nets back to outdoor rinks is postponed.
Over two hours of debate and countless votes at council Monday eventually made way to a 9-3 vote in favour of putting off deferral to February 8th, three days before the provincial lockdown is expected to end.
The original motion, put forward by Mayor Bill Mauro and supported by Neebing Ward councillor Cody Fraser, included an amendment that was subject to confirmation of the direction provided to the city by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit to which the initial decision was made.
“I don’t believe the city should be viewed as facilitating team sports when we’re being told that public amenities shouldn’t be,” stressed At Large councillor Mark Bentz, who felt the city was overstepping it’s boundaries on a public health issue.
McKellar Ward councillor Brian Hamilton is supportive of keeping the rinks open, but did add there have been calls of non-compliance with the health orders to the local health unit.
“If we can’t get compliance at our outdoor rinks, then they get shut down,” Hamilton warned.
Development & Emergency Services General Manager Mark Smith defended the move, saying administration works hand in hand with the local health unit.
“It was decided last week that the nets should be removed because we felt that there was a considerable risk of non-compliance. Non-compliance that would require us to close rinks because, according to the provincial order, a rink can only be open as long as these things don’t happen,” stated Smith.
The council meeting ended after midnight.
