Publisher

Councils across the district are going to have to face the realities of the new norm. A loss of revenue for arenas, curling rinks, halls and municipal parks will create enormous strains on their budgets. Fort Frances, Couchiching, Emo and Rainy River all have experienced a shortening of their ice rink seasons. Tour de Fort shows have been cancelled. Spring Fever and the Emo Walleye classic have been cancelled, both having brought revenue to the community. Will the Emo and District Fall Fair continue, having already existed through two World Wars and a depression?
Many businesses have lost their cash flow. Their ability to pay taxes, even though postponed in Fort Frances, may in the long run not be paid. Several businesses will never reopen in the district.
In the new norm, councils will be faced with issues such as should there be an increase in fees in ice or pool fees that loss to offset the loss of revenue. Skating clubs, men’s and women’s minor hockey will be wondering what enrollment will be like in the fall. Will there be a significant reduction in membership and accordingly less need for ice time?
The council in Fort Frances must be wondering if refunds will be offered to persons who purchased docking slips at the marina only to find that the marina is closed for a minimum of one month and maybe longer. As cities and towns move from closure to making stores and business more open, what rules will they put in place?
Will Emo keep its spray park closed this summer? Will the Sorting Gap be opened to sell ice cream? Will parks be opened to allow children to use the play apparatus? Will playground equipment be restricted to a limited number of users at any one time. Will people be able to picnic at Pither’s Point Park or the Stratton Community park? If baseball resumes, will social distancing be enforced, restricting the number of players on the bench, or stretching the bench out to 19 meters for each team to meet social distancing? Will fans be restricted from using the stands?
Will the Townshend Theatre be restricted to using every other row and every other seat, reducing its capacity to a quarter of what it is today?
In arenas, will there be restrictions on the number of players in any dressing room? At the pool in Fort Frances will there be restrictions on the number of athletes in the dressing room or using the facilities to maintain social distancing?
All of these are little decisions councils and their staffs will have to muddle through. Each decision will have financial consequences for the community.
Many restrictions will be directed by the Ministry of Health and the Northwestern Ontario Health Unit. It will be every council’s decision on how to enforce those restrictions. Council will bear the costs of those restrictions and the changes in operations.