Sandy Scotchmer, Bayfield Facilities Initiative Team spokesperson (photo by Bob Montgomery) Sandy Scotchmer, Bayfield Facilities Initiative Team spokesperson (photo by Bob Montgomery)
Midwestern

Bayfield Group Ask For Committee To Study Future Of Local Arena

In a decision that was not popular with those in the gallery, councillors with the Municipality of Bluewater ratified a motion Monday night to pull the ice out of the Bayfield Arena permanently.

The Bayfield Facilities Initiative Team was one of two delegations speaking against the motion.

Spokesperson Sandy Scotchmer reiterated their proposal to build a new community centre that may or may not include an ice surface, that would be built with private money and be privately-operated at no cost to the municipality.

What they're asking for is the formation of a committee that would include two councillors to meet over the next ten to 12 months to look at how they might be able to achieve their goal.

She says if they can do it, the community ends up with a facility that could be used by people of all ages and interests and there would be no cost to the municipality. If it can't be done, then pull the ice, Scotchmer added.

Scotchmer believes the municipality is missing an opportunity if they don't leave the ice in until their feasibility study is completed and she also believes the ice can't be pulled until the study is completed.

Only Zurich ward Councillor Janice Zimmerman and Bayfield ward Councillor Bill Whetstone voted against the motion.

"You know it's all possible if we just sit at the same table," says Scotchmer. "I know that they're looking only at dollars but I think that they're missing a golden opportunity here if they don't sit down at the table with us as quickly as possible so we can forge forward with a new complex."

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