The fee for using the rink has led to the fact that it has ceased to be popular.
An outdoor rink in the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews continues to be empty after the introduction of entrance fees for its use. At the moment, the fee is $60 both for a child and an adult, and $120 dollars for an adult and two children.
“I used to use this outdoor rink because it’s such a short walk away and now I’m not able to so it’s pretty sad,” said 15-year-old Trinity Grove, who lives directly across the street from the rink.
Trinity is not the only teenager who stopped going to the rink.
“All you’d hear is pucks on the boards all night, and now it’s just silent,” says Trinity’s father, Glenn Grove.
Moreover, recently Trinity came to the rink and was not allowed in because she was not a member of the community club.
“There was a guy in his truck, and he called me over,” she said. “I said no, and he checked a list of names and said: ‘You’re not on it, I can’t let you on.'”
Joy Sul, St. Andrews Mayor, explained that funding has decreased significantly in recent years.
“Unfortunately, our only involvement with the community club is providing grant money, as we do to every other club in the RM,” said Sul.
Glenn Grove hopes that the financial issue will be resolved, as the children are suffering from the situation. Children were deprived of the opportunity to skate and to play hockey, and they like these winter activities so much.
MORE NEWS:St. James area residents create skating rinks and slides