A local benefactor is saving non-resident rink users from the Recreation Card program for this winter.
The controversial program is on hold after the Saint John Hotel Association stepped in to cover all expected costs from regional user fees for one year.
Paulette Hicks, President of the Saint John Hotel Association, says it was the right thing to do for the community and province.
“We are in the hospitality business, and we’ve long been a partner with both the City of Saint John and Hockey NB. Sponsoring regional users of our City’s arenas to make game time a little easier was a natural fit for us.” Hicks said.
Mayor Don Darling says having the hotel association step like this allows the city and neighbouring communities to get back to the table.
“The good news is that our regional partners want to do that. We have been discussing it and working on ways to put a regional cost-sharing model in place,” Darling said.
City of Saint John to set aside roll-out of Recreation Card Program thanks to external sponsorship https://t.co/pV26tFqWTw
— City of Saint John (@cityofsaintjohn) November 8, 2019
Darling notes the recreation card program was not the preferred option of council.
“The preferred option was a partnership and now we can go back and work with the regional communities. I know the regional mayors want to see that happen. Now we just have to work together and get that in place for next year.” Darling said.
Darling says all of the regional communities care about Saint John’s future sustainability so he thinks putting the recreation card discussion aside for a big-picture discussion is the right thing to do.
The City will inform all those who have already purchased a recreation card on the process for a full refund over the next 30 days.
The Recreation Card Program was approved by Common Council back on June 17, 2019 to support continuing operational costs associated with the City’s arenas: the Stewart Hurley Arena, Charles Gorman Arena, Hilton Belyea Arena, Peter Murray Arena and the Lord Beaverbrook Rink.
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