TISDALE — Brad Hvidston, Tisdale’s administrator said the town currently intends to keep the RECplex ice surface open until the typical season ends in March – so long as usage continues.
“We’ve had a lot of bookings, our ice usage isn’t down comparatively to other years, as far as hours being booked,” Hvidston said. “It seems like every day we’re getting phone calls for more March bookings, so I think we’re going to stay open as long as the usage stays up.”
Before the pandemic, hockey teams would book one hour for practice. Hvidston said that the town is now noticing multiple hours are needed to be booked to split the teams into smaller groups in order to accommodate regulations.
“So they’re actually booking more practice slots, but they’re not allowed to play games so they’re booking less games, but all in all, it’s working out pretty close to prior years.”
In addition to the practices, there has also been an uptake in weekend private bookings which would usually be unable to take place due to hockey games.
The same can’t be said for the curling rink, which had their ice already removed for the season.
Hvidston said the decision was based on current regulations and usage.
“They aren’t allowed to curl so there’s no point in spending that amount of money every month to keep the ice open and keep everything going if they’re not partaking in these activities.”
In a motion passed unanimously by Tisdale council during their Feb. 8 meeting, the Tisdale Curling Club’s lease fee has been waived for next season’s October to December.
Hvidston said the club has already paid this season’s lease fee up until March, and they felt rather than refund the fee, they would put that as credit toward the next season.
“What we’re doing is rather than refund money that has been paid or billed out, we’re waiving our lease fee until October to December of 2021, and they will still pay the lease fee from January and March.”
A typical season runs from October until March.
