Okay, that is just my working name for the twin pad rink proposed for the south end of the City.
The design is architecturally pleasing, so much so that one could not call this a hockey rink. It is too small for us to call it an arena, although the estimated cost might indicate that title. The seating capacity will be enough for hockey parents and NHL scouts but in this time of social distancing, no aunts, uncles, or cousins will be allowed inside unless they have a special City Pass. (Passes will be available in the lobby at City Hall where you pick up extra garbage bag labels.)
Nay-sayers in the City are worrying about the cost of the BMPR but I think we can allay those fears. Recent thinking in economic circles is that debt is a good thing – on the National level. This new line of debt to GNP ratio thinking has attracted attention in the Pandemic Period, formerly known as recessions or depressions (the latter being a word to avoid in these trying times of Covid-19). Ever since we threw out the gold standard with Breton-Woods, things have been in flux as far as national debt utilization. Debt is good.
Governments are encouraged to use debt to finance special projects like pipelines or LTC, or fund relief to the unemployed. I see no reason why our City council cannot use this tool to fund the BMPR. The thinking in Ottawa is that over the long term, the economy will recover and we will slowly generate taxes on the growth economy that will pay for our Billions of Covid costs. Surely, when things look brighter in our City, taxes and other revenues will arise and cover the cost of the BMPR. We just have to spread these costs out over the appropriate number of years. Sort of like a 35-year mortgage on your house. A BMPR debenture anyone?
The thing is, it is true that we need more ice rental capacity. We cannot continue to support out-of-town rinks by renting ice for our hockey and ringette players, and budding figure skaters. This not to mention curlers and recreational skaters. Dire warnings about the Double Rinks falling apart in ten years should spur our efforts to get the shovels in the ground for the BMPR. And for heaven’s sake, be sure to shovel the snow off the West Ferris rink roof for the next few years.
In considering the debt issue we must also consider the revenues and benefits that the BMPR will generate. Tournaments will generate all sorts of revenue for the hotels, eateries, gas stations, and souvenir shops. We know that for every dollar spent by our guests seven dollars will trickle down to the community. We are assured by the various hockey leagues that they will bring many tournaments to town. There will be new jobs for Zamboni drivers, rink attendants, and concession workers. We could have another department added to the City roster.
More importantly, it is part of the City’s obligation to provide recreational opportunities for the citizens, both for health and morale. Those thousands of immigrants that are coming – eventually – to the City should all have a place to learn to skate and play hockey. Soccer is no substitute for a good rough and tumble sport like hockey. The new doctor/mothers who are coming will certainly want to see ice surfaces for their children so they can raise them to be hockey players or skaters. Even if they do not want to skate, they can run around the BMPR for exercise and maybe have a nourishing hot dog while they watch the skaters. New businesses (and maybe some current ones) will want to rent advertising space or sponsor teams.
These things all generate money or the movement of funds within the City. The value of the BMPR cannot be underestimated, not only in dollars, but also in community health. I’m all in.
Almost. I fear that the architects and City bureaucrats have underestimated the costs in this period of pandemic. There are scarcities in materials, delays in getting goods, and some price (what’s the word for gouging?) adjustments out there in the real world. Shucks, I cannot even buy ink for my HP printer! There is also the uncertainty of just when the pandemic will end and when we can get back to some semblance of ‘normal’. Don’t even think about the next pandemic in this over-crowded world.
Let us pause for a year before going all in – and look at the BMPR next fall. Sure, inflation might raise the cost but supply and demand for construction materials might also lower the costs. In the meantime, we can use the ice we have, rent from our neighbours, and play a little street hockey. Or perhaps try skiing – outdoors, not inside a rink. Just saying.
