How we almost lost the Esposito Park ice rink this week

If Ward 5 Coun. Matthew Scott had gotten his way earlier this week, the city would have closed an ice rink dedicated to National Hockey League great Phil Esposito.

At a budget session on Monday, Scott proposed saving $75,000 by shutting down the Phil Esposito outdoor rink at Queen Street West and St. Andrew Street.

But Malcolm White, the city's chief administrative officer, quickly intervened.

"Staff has been looking at the issue of outdoor rinks, community-wide," White said.

"If council were to pass this as a savings, we would not recommend Esposito Park. We would recommend another rink.

"I think what we've arrived at as staff, is you can make that reduction of $75,000 from the budget. We'll find another one-time way to keep all the outdoor rinks operating this year, but commit to bringing you another report during 2024, which will assess all the outdoor rinks and a staff recommendation to proceed for the 2025 budget."

Coun. Scott was okay with that.

"I had asked... for usage numbers," Scott said.

"And year after year, Esposito Park was by far the lowest, with 2021-2022 usage of just six per cent of all local outdoor rink usage."

Councillors then passed an amended motion requiring a $75,000 reduction in the 2024 budget for outdoor rinks, with the current number of rinks to be maintained in 2024.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie currently maintains six outdoor rinks:

• Downtown Plaza
• Esposito Rink – 36 Queen Street West
• Merrifield Rink – 331 Patrick Street
• Anna McCrea Rink – 250 Mark Street
• Art Jennings Speed Skating Oval – 260 Elizabeth Street
• Clergue Park Skating Trail – 10 East Street 

"The oval is by far the most used," Scott said.

"Clergue is one that were quite proud of. It's unique. It's nice."

"Merrifield is the only rink anywhere near the west end."

Faced with a choice between Esposito and Anna McCrea, Scott says he decided to recommend dropping the rink with the lowest usage.

The motion passed by city council this week directs city staff to return in 2025 with a recommendation on the future of all local outdoor rinks.

Elder brother of fellow Hockey-Hall-of-Famer Tony Esposito, Phil was named the game's ninth-best player of all-time by The Athletic in 2023.

He's credited with 717 goals and 1,590 points over an 18-years with the Black Hawks, Bruins and Rangers, winning the Stanley Cup twice.