Update: HRM Ice Allocation Policy

Fellow Whalers,

 

On June 22nd, HRM Councillors passed a motion to adopt the Community Access Plan as presented by HRM staff for the Bedford 4 pad arena only.  The Community Access Plan (ice allocation policy) will not be applied to other HRM arena's for the 2010/2011 season. This is good news, however, we are not out of the woods yet.  The initial concerns over how the policy allocates ice amongst various user groups are still valid concerns because the policy was adopted as presented. The policy, in my view, has the potential to be the thin edge of the wedge when it comes to the development of an ice allocaiton policy in HRM over the next 12 months.

 

I attended the HRM Committee of the Whole meeting on June 22 and am pleased to advise that our Dartmouth Councillors were all supportative of the concerns expressed by DWMHA members and I believe they all will continue to work diligently to make sure our concerns are heard around the council chamber.

 

I would like to thank each each of you who took the time to email or call your councillor on this issue.  The effort made by every individual made a difference on June 22nd, and I am confident we will need the support of our members again as this issue unfolds over the upcoming season.

 

At the present time, we are part of an initiative being undertaken by the presidents of all the minor hckey associations in HRM to compile (i) what our collective ice usage is and (ii) how our membership is made up.  With this information, we will all be in a better position in our discussions with HRM, and have for the first time a comprehensive understanding of "who has what" when it comes to minor hockey ice in HRM.

 

We will keep everybody updated as this issue moves forward.

 

Regards

 

Greg Taylor

DWMHA - President