Your hockey dreams just got a boost, Sault Ste. Marie
Bonjour from the North — three cities, one corridor, and the stories that don't make it south of Barrie.
Okay, Sault Ste. Marie, you know how we complain about the price of everything up here, right? We see the big projects, the fancy new whatever, and we brace ourselves for the bill. Well, get a load of this, because it’s a story that tells you everything you need to know about how Northern Ontario gets things done, or at least how we *try* to. The city council just decided that for the next three years, the fees to rent ice at the brand new twin-pad arena are going to be the *same* as the rates over at the old Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens. Yeah, you heard me.
This is a big deal, because a new arena, especially a twin-pad, is usually where they try to recoup some of those construction costs. It’s like, you build a beautiful new house, you expect to pay a bit more for the mortgage, non? But senior staff are pushing this to keep it affordable. Think about all the minor hockey parents, the figure skaters, the rec leagues — they’re the ones who really feel the pinch. We need places for our kids to skate, especially with the Greyhounds being such a part of our identity. It's smart because it keeps our arenas busy, keeps our community active, and shows that maybe, just maybe, the city understands that not everyone up here is rolling in cash from the Algoma Steel plant.
### Why This Matters for the Sault
* **Community Access:** Keeps ice time affordable for minor sports, ensuring kids from all backgrounds can play. It’s not just for the fancy teams, it’s for everyone. * **New Facility Utilization:** Encourages full use of the new twin-pad complex, making sure it’s a vibrant hub for the community from day one, not just a showpiece. * **Addressing Cost of Living:** Acknowledges that families in Sault Ste. Marie are already dealing with higher costs for just about everything else, from groceries to gas.
It’s a strategic move, I think. It shows that even with shiny new facilities, the city remembers who they’re built for. It's not just about the brick and mortar, it's about the families on the other side of the International Bridge, and up past the St. Marys Rapids, who just want to see their kids have a good time on the ice without breaking the bank. This is how we support our own.
Marc-André Desjardins, Sault Ste. Marie, for MiTL Sports Desk.
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