Councillor who pushed for fewer ice rinks now wants more of them

What a difference a few months can make in local politics!

Four months ago, during budget deliberations, Ward 5 Coun. Matthew Scott was wanting to save $75,000 by scrapping the Phil Esposito outdoor rink at Queen Street West and St. Andrew.

But this month, Scott is singing a very different tune.

Not only is he okay with keeping the Esposito rink open, he says he's now ready to support new outdoor rinks in the city.

"Now, that we're outside of budget time and I'm not looking to save money from a city point of view, I think having as many rinks as we can actually feasibly operate is important," Scott told a meeting of the city's parks and recreation advisory committee.

"I think having an outdoor rink in all neighbourhoods would be ideal, or at least all wards.... I'd be happy to champion that at council if we wanted more money for this type of thing."

During budget talks in mid-December, Scott tried unsuccessfully to convince his council colleagues to permanently close the Esposito Park rink, which attracted just 1,587 skaters during the 2022-2023 season, compared to 4,095 for the Merrifield Rink at 331 Patrick St. and 3,522 for the Anna McCrea rink at 250 Mark St.

But council did agree on an amended motion requiring a $75,000 reduction in the 2024 budget for outdoor rinks, with the current number of rinks to be maintained this year.

The approved motion also directed city staff to return in 2025 with a recommendation on the future of all local outdoor rinks.

The parks and recreation committee was asked to find ways to slash $75,000 from this year's outdoor rink budget.

But after hearing about Coun. Scott's about-face, the committee will now ask city council that the status quo be maintained with no budget cuts or reduction in the number of rinks in 2025, and that consideration be given to adding additional rinks.

In making that suggestion, the committee rejected attempts to cut the rink budget by reducing security or making increased use of volunteers.

"I can appreciate that when people are wanting something they'll say that they're going to volunteer. And when the time comes, 'Oh, it's too cold or I'm too busy.' So things don't work out that way," Scott said.

Where could Sault Ste. Marie use extra outdoor skating rinks?

Scott is looking to the north and the west end, and points out that his own Ward 5 currently has no rink.

He says he only recommended closing the Esposito rink because it had the lowest usage in the city.

"I think community rinks are important. I think in a perfect world with unlimited funds, I'd prefer that each ward at least have one."

Scott grew up in Bayview, less than half a block from Mike Zuke's backyard rink at 724 Metzger St.

Scott says when he was first elected to city council in 2018, the need for an outdoor rink in Bayview was one of the first things he was told by voters.

"Wearing my ward hat, Ward 5 of note has no city-operated rink, indoor or out, and that's one thing I know the people at Bayview have been clamouring for. And when I brought that motion forward last time it was about bringing one back to that community," Scott said.