Ice decision still being passed around

Mayor Glenn Witherspoon said no decision has been made yet on whether the town will build a new double-rink facility or simply a second ice surface next to the existing Memorial Arena.
He said they have received four new inquiries from companies interested in taking over the construction of the facility, which has been open to bidders since the town’s previous contract with Windfield Construction Ltd. of Winnipeg for an 87,000 sq. ft., double-rink arena was terminated after the company failed to get a performance bond for the project.
The town held a two-and-a-half-hour public meeting last Wednesday at the Civic Centre on the proposed new ice facility, allowing those on hand to pose questions to council and voice any concerns.
Several groups gave presentations in favour of a new facility, saying there simply wasn’t enough ice time available to satisfy local hockey players and figure skaters.
In fact, Lynn Kellar, president of the Fort Frances Minor Hockey Association, stressed a new indoor ice surface definitely is needed in town, noting several teams are forced to travel to outlying arenas such as Emo.
Mayor Witherspoon said he will be trying to arrange a meeting with “Ice for Kids” by either tomorrow or next Tuesday.
But he stressed it’s too early to tell which way the decision will go, adding the town could be forced to incorporate both an ‘A’ and a ‘B’ plan–depending on whether or not they receive provincial funding from the Heritage Fund.
If that happens, the town could see its bill for the construction of a double-rink facility slashed by as much as 50 percent.
Still, Mayor Witherspoon said there are just too many options on the table at the present but he did predict a decision should be made by the end of April.