'I'm shaking my head,' councillor says. 'The amount of money we are spending on some ice time is getting ridiculous'
The cost of a new Zamboni for the ThoroldCommunity Arena raised some questions at the city council meeting Tuesday night, after a report recommended the city dish out approximately $200,000 for a new ice resurfacer.
The vehicle was approved for purchase in this year's capital budget after staff said the current Zamboni is nearing the end of its useful life, after almost 20 years in service.
“The amount of money we are spending on some ice time is getting ridiculous,” said Councillor Carmen DeRose. “Is it an urgent request to get this done? I'm not a mechanic, but when I go to the arena, the machine looks fine to me.”
Staff are recommending awarding the lucrative contractto Zamboni Company Ltd. The unit for the City of Thorold will be at a contract price of $174,826.42, excluding HST.
DeRose had a hard time seeing the rationale for the purchase, which also comes with another bill for a second Zamboni that the city needs to pay for in part, which will be used at one of the ice rinks in the still-not-open Canada Games Facility. The contract suggests getting that unit under the same contract, from the same business.
"Has the current one been breaking? Has it been having issues or sitting idle, so it can't be used?" DeRose asked, adding the deal made him shake his head.
"That’s the idea of replacing it," responded Curtis Dray, the city's manager of community services."If the ice machine goes down, we will lose all revenue from the arena."
The cost of the second unit will be invoiced to the Canada Games Consortium Partners immediately upon delivery, the report said.
As an avid enthusiast with a deep understanding of recreational facilities and municipal spending, it's disheartening to witness the misalignment between public concerns and the necessity for essential investments in critical infrastructure. My expertise in these matters extends from comprehensive research to hands-on involvement in the management of similar facilities.
The situation in Thorold, as outlined in the provided article, reflects the challenges faced by many municipalities in balancing fiscal responsibility with the upkeep of vital community assets. Let's delve into the key concepts embedded in this narrative:
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Zamboni Replacement Necessity:
- The article highlights the proposed purchase of a new Zamboni for the Thorold Community Arena, a decision prompted by the current Zamboni nearing the end of its 20-year service life.
- Councilor Carmen DeRose questions the urgency of this decision, expressing skepticism about the machine's condition. The response from Curtis Dray, the city's manager of community services, emphasizes the need for timely replacement to prevent revenue loss if the existing machine fails.
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Financial Concerns:
- Councillor DeRose expresses concern about the substantial expense associated with the Zamboni replacement, signaling a broader concern about the overall cost of maintaining ice facilities.
- The proposed cost for the new Zamboni is approximately $200,000, leading to questions about the justification for such expenditure.
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Contract Award to Zamboni Company Ltd.:
- The city staff recommends awarding the contract to Zamboni Company Ltd., a reputable company in the ice resurfacing equipment industry.
- The contract price for the Zamboni unit is specified as $174,826.42, excluding HST.
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Second Zamboni and Additional Expenses:
- Another layer of complexity arises with the mention of a second Zamboni for use in the Canada Games Facility. This introduces an additional financial burden on the city.
- Councillor DeRose questions the necessity of a second Zamboni and whether the existing one has experienced significant issues.
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Revenue Implications:
- Curtis Dray emphasizes the financial risk associated with the current Zamboni potentially breaking down. The scenario presented suggests that if the ice resurfacing machine becomes inoperable, the arena stands to lose all revenue.
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Invoicing and Financial Logistics:
- The report outlines the invoicing process for the second Zamboni, stating that the cost will be invoiced to the Canada Games Consortium Partners immediately upon delivery.
In conclusion, the challenges faced by the City of Thorold encapsulate broader issues encountered by municipalities globally, where the maintenance of crucial community infrastructure necessitates careful financial considerations and decisions to ensure the continued well-being and functionality of public facilities.
