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Burk's Falls optimistic arena can reopen for summer programs

The manager of the arena says staff are targeting June 18 as the day they want to start up the ice plant, which would make ice available for the public by July 4
burks falls arena 2020
Rocco Frangione Photo

Graham Smith is optimistic that ice can go back into the Armour, Ryerson and Burk's Falls Memorial Arena next month in time for summer ice programs.

The manager of the arena says staff is targeting June 18 as the day to start up the ice plant, which would make ice available for the public by July 4.

One of the biggest users of the Burk's Falls arena is Winning Techniques, a summer camp business that operates out of Emsdale and engages young people in a variety of physical activities like water sports, horseback riding, adventure dance, figure skating and hockey.

Winning Techniques rents the Burk's Falls arena to run its ice-related programs.

“We've talked to Winning Techniques and they've given us a deadline of June 1 to confirm if they will have hours for a summer camp,” Smith said.

However, Smith adds Winning Techniques itself is still waiting to hear from the provincial government if it will be able to operate this summer, with COVID-19 still a factor.

Last year, the virus forced the cancellation of all the Winning Techniques programs.

Smith says Burk's Falls also remains at the mercy of the provincial government, especially with the conditions surrounding the latest stay-at-home order, which is scheduled to end May 20.

The staff has been working toward a summer opening, ensuring there are no issues with arena equipment.

Smith says the plant has been running and to date, there have been no issues, and “that's a good sign for us.

“The only thing that will stop us at this stage is the government of Ontario or the health unit once we get past May 20,” he said.

“We've got our fingers crossed and we're optimistic.”

Smith says the arena staff also have been fielding calls from people outside the Burk's Falls, Armour and Ryerson region looking to see if they can use the arena because some may remain closed.

“It sounds like we might be one of the only facilities around this summer that may have ice if we're allowed to put it in,” Smith said.

Smith says local COVID-19 protocols have been upgraded to indicate how the arena can operate when the community is in a Red, Yellow, Green or Orange zone state.

Smith says materials to upgrade the Zamboni room have been ordered, as well as handicap rails for the building's washrooms.

In the meantime, staff has been painting, scrubbing, and carrying out other maintenance and upgrades at the facility as required.

Smith says the one piece of equipment the arena is holding off on ordering is a score clock.

“We're keeping it on the back burner to see what's happening with COVID and if we're reopening,” he said since there's no sense buying an expensive piece of equipment if it can't be used for a while and just sits in storage.

- Rocco Frangione is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the North Bay Nugget. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.