Paul Cousineau
Dear editor:
We have all been there as hockey parents. The team is ready to go on the ice and some sort of equipment malfunction happens, whether it is skates, mouthguards, or sticks.
We do what we can so our children can play the game. But sometimes we cannot do anything and then our child sits, with great disappointment.
A few months back, I was approached by minor hockey to provide skate sharpening for our children in those situations. I felt—and still feel—that anytime I can help the children of our community, I will. My children certainly have had the grace of kindness from others in their travels.
But much to my amazement, providing skate sharpening was not an easy task. The town stated I could not put in a skate sharpener (run by volunteers) without tender. So a tender was placed in the paper, and I then was forced to commit to selling of items (their request) as well as the skate sharpening.
I tendered and was the only applicant.
On Monday, Dec. 14, town council, at the recommendation of the Community Services executive committee, voted against the idea of a skate sharpening business at the arena. The reasons for refusal were cited as “the history of failure of similar operations, no partnership with FFMHA, and competition with existing businesses in difficult economic times.”
As for the first reason (past failures), our town vision states that: “Together, we are a community committed to sharing, developing, and enhancing social, economic, health, and educational opportunities.” I fail to understand how a town with this vision, this commitment, could tell me before I started that I wouldn’t succeed.
A progressive community would embrace change and challenges, not crush them.
Maybe it is time for the Town of Fort Frances to be forward-thinking, take some ownership when small businesses are not viable, and change practices to help.
The second reason (no partnership with the FFMHA) is an interesting point since the whole initiation of this venture was minor hockey. When they approached me, I was going to make available my machine, train volunteers of the community and minor hockey on how to use the machine, and, as a result, 20 percent of money made would be given back to minor hockey and 20 percent would be given to the town.
Then our local businesses took exception to this venture and the tender was created.
I re-thought the proposal and had to go to hiring people so that business hours were available. The idea of volunteers had to be set aside.
I again re-iterate that I was doing this for the children in our community—this was not going to be a money-making venture.
The third reason cited was due to competition to existing businesses. The proposal was placed in the Times on Nov. 4 until the closing date of Nov. 17. What I find interesting is that Taggs, Skates & Blades, and Canadian Tire all had the time to write letters or make phone calls explaining why this would not work.
Maybe they should have spent the two weeks trying to make a proposal that would be feasible for them.
As stated in one of their letters, “I am not afraid of competition or challenge” while another stated that they have “Never been afraid of a little healthy competition.” So, if the competition was not the issue, then I suppose I should thank them for looking out for my best interest????
I am very confused with this third reason considering the fact that the Town of Fort Frances is in direct competition to other businesses within our community. The Memorial Sports Centre, for example, offers weight training, yoga, and other programs which are in direct competition to Energy Fitness Centre.
I am sure that many readers of this paper have purchased an ice cream cone at the Sorting Gap Marina in the summer. Again, this is a town-run business that is in direct competition to Dairy Queen, Rainy Lake Sports and Tackle, and any other businesses that sell ice cream.
How can they, in good conscience, be worried about Taggs, Skates & Blades, and Canadian Tire when they are not concerned about how they are economically affecting businesses that they are in competition with?
In closing, I would like council to reconsider the opening of a skate sharpening business within the arena. This business would be a benefit to all.
I am, and will continue to be, disappointed with the mayor and our town council members (who voted against this proposal).
Thank you for your time. I can only hope your child never has to miss a hockey game as a result of hockey equipment problems.
(Signed),
Paul Cousineau
Fort Frances, Ont.
