Nov 11, 2024 | Jeremy Cook | 75 views
Township of Wilmot - Community Services Master Plan
On Monday, October 21st, The Township of Wilmot adopted the Community Services Master Plan which had been presented at previous council meetings in August and September. We wanted to share some of the highlights related to the facilities for ice users:
- Typically, industry standards recommend that one ice pad can effectively accommodate 450 minor registered ice participants. This standard does not take into consideration a robust adult ice user base, or public ice use. Registration numbers from the 2023/2024 season show we had 1397 minor ice participants in Wilmot. This presents significant challenges to associations using the WRC facilities having access to only two ice pads. The ultimate question – how are ice users able to accommodate the current registration number with two ice pads that have the effective capacity of 900 minor registered ice participants?
- To address the participant demand, ice users are employing any one or a combination of the following strategies:
- Even though the Ontario Minor Hockey Association looks at rep programs from a regional perspective ice allocation has not taken this approach. There needs to be analysis of ice capacity throughout the catchment area for rep programs for a better/fairer allocation framework for blocks of ice that can be available for the rep and girls' programs.
- Currently, there are disproportionately low prime-time hours allocated to girls’ hockey.
- An issue of gender equity of ice allocation between the girls and rep programs was identified.
- Township of Wilmot ice shortage issues can only be resolved through the investment in a minimum of two new ice pads. Recognizing that this option is likely not able to be realized due to a) financial constraints, b) property availability, c) competing corporate priorities, the Township could be better served by implementing incremental steps to provide more ice time.
- As of 2024, the Township is still assessing options related to the future provision of ice, options for location, timing and financial implications.
- Ice Demand and Unmet Needs Recommendations were outlined as next steps.
The Wilmot Girls Hockey Association will continue to have conversations with our Township staff around the short-term, mid-term, and long-term recommendations for our recreational facilities. We encourage you to check out the Community Services Master Plan for more details.