With concerns about Covid-19 on everyone’s mind, Council briefly debated on Monday whether to open the Outdoor Rink in Rotary Park this winter. They were presented with three options ranging from closing it to fully opening including the Transit shelter. Instead they chose the middle option: “authorize municipal staff to open the outdoor rink as soon as weather permits, that signs be posted for social distancing rules and that the transit shelter remain closed for the 2020-2021 season;” With the Transit Shelter closed, there was concern about washroom facilities and places to put on skates. This concern would be resolved with porta-potties and six benches placed around the rink with social distancing. Porta-potties would require electricity to power warming cables to prevent water freezing in the normal handwashing stations. Since this would be expensive, instead hand sanitizers will be provided.
In response to a question, Deputy Director of Community Services Teresa Behan said that the local Health Unit had not been consulted although the Town’s Emergency group had been.
In previous years the rink has proved popular and in summer the area is normally used for a shallow pond with a small central fountain. The original proposal to create this “frink” (fountain, rink) created considerable debate with some suggesting that it should be located in the Trailer Park and others predicting it would not be popular. It was opened 13 December 2008.
It’s particularly popular in December, particularly around Christmas if the ice is good. The photo is from December 2008.
Given that most people in Cobourg observe social distancing, this will be a welcome touch of normalcy.
Link to Information Source
To see the video of this portion of the Committee of the Whole meeting, do one of the following:
- Go here then scroll to item 10.1. Click the heading and the video at top right goes to that part of the meeting OR
- Go to the full video here, Start the video then on the video progress bar, go to time 2:30:55
Addendum
At the Council Meeting on November 23, as expected, Council approved the Committee of the Whole motion to open the rink as described above. But before they did, Councillor Nicole Beatty asked about the possibility of a second location for a public skating surface – perhaps in the Trailer Park. Deputy Director of Community Services Teresa Behan said she would investigate and see what would be required. Councillor Brian Darling said that previous experience (perhaps 20 years ago) was that it had not been successful. It was hard to keep water in place, trees littered the surface and sun melted the ice.
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There have been two articles on reducing costs in the Town of Cobourg with many suggestions made here. I think the proposed Rotary Park skating rink a great idea providing hours of healthy recreation. However the proposals for yet a 2nd rink defeat the idea of cost reduction. Akin to people on a diet – lucky to have one dessert little alone two. Belt tightening has been proposed as necessary. You’re either for reduction that is said as necessary or opposed.
I would like to see total cost of operating the frink divided by number of users over the whole winter season = cost per skater. I suspect it would be eye-popping.
JimT – hard to tell what side of the issue you sit on here, however I can tell you the number of people, young and not-so-young, that take advantage of the Frink might be eye-popping to some…huge numbers, nearly every day.
Agreed Rob. Not a skater myself, I do enjoy just watching the skaters.
Why does everything you study have a price on it?
Ben, without costs how do we know if we are getting value for our money? How else do we decide the best use for our taxes? Unlike the dreams of some, resident’s pockets are not unlimited.
It’s all about money isn’t it? Never mind peoples enjoyment at getting out from this Covid cloud and enjoying themselves. No No what does it cost? What about your taxes? My goodness take a break from costs. Maybe you could put a fence around it and charge “out of towners”. There is an idea isn’t it?
Great idea Conor and triple charge if from Whitby!
Im sure Whitby has free public skating for you. No need to travel for you to save a nickel.
Former bookkeeper, accountant & systems analyst in the Big City.
Thank you for asking.
Who is going to attend the Frink day after day to count the number of users “over the whole winter season?” And how much will that cost just to satisfy your curiosity? Or are you volunteering?
It’s not about curiosity, Wally (and others) it’s about value. Certainly, as others have noted, the frink provides R & R for participants and observers, too. You might call it a valuable part of our local culture.
Nonetheless, the question remains: how many individuals benefit from the costs involved, and how much does it cost per person for the town to provide that benefit?
Good management of any enterprise requires monitoring costs vs. benefit.
WONDER IF THE WOODLAWN REHAB WILL BE
using the Frink as part of the rehab integration regime
isn’t the rezoning meeting tonight ??
Sandpiper – Physical activity and fitness can be an important component of recovery
Yes but I like to know as a parent who my Kids at any age are skating with and their backgrounds
so I they are not from here I have to question if its ok to leave my kids on the ice for an hour or do I have to stand watch
There is no way of telling who would be a Woodlawn client skating on the Frink unless they admitted to it or had a sign on their back. No method of knowing if anyone is a danger to our children. Would you leave your kids alone on the Frink at any time unless they are of an age where they would be capable of looking after themselves?
Sandpiper – I appreciate being concerned about your children but you’re connecting things that have no business being connected. You seem to be out of your depth a little bit. You do realize that within Cobourg and including residents of Cobourg, there are many forms of undesirable and even deviant behaviour taking place. I don’t have to detail it, I’m sure you can use your imagination. The alcoholic in treatment at the Woodlawn, is no more of a risk to your child than the alcoholic that stumbles out of Kelly’s on a given night (and there are plenty of those).
I recall reading right here a while back a report that there was a busy market in illicit substances right there on 1st Street, if I’m not mistaken.
The new pot shops opening on King Street’s retail corridor will likely reduce the pressure of those crowds on 1st Street.
So Rob, what you are saying is that Kelly’s over serves it clients? And that Kelly’s is full of alcoholics?
Big allegations
Hey Leweez – I’m not saying that Kelly’s is “full of alcoholics”, those are your words, but without a doubt there are alcoholics that patronize Kelly’s (and likely every bar in town) as well as the nearby LCBO. I can absolutely say that Kelly’s and others over server from time to time…not purposely but it happens and always has. If you are suggesting that I’m wrong, than you are either pulling my leg, intentionally trying to be contrary or significantly out of touch…. 🙂
Sandpiper:
Why would you assume that the CCFA rehab clients would be allowed to roam about at all. And why the Frink? Its not as though its next door. You have created a concern that is totally unsupported. You have started a rumour, or in today’s terms created “fake news”.
Have you asked the CCFA if their clients are “allowed out”?
Perhaps you could research your “WONDERING” and get the facts before making your musing public.
Nice to see a bit of positive local news – I appreciate the Frink was controversial initially however it is something all residents should be proud of. A crisp winter evening down there is like something from a Norman Rockwell painting….
Now why couldn’t we create something like this (albeit smaller/simpler) in the trailer park during the winter?
https://www.patinageenforet.com/
Do you mean try the idea again in the trailer park? I agree. A skating oval was installed on the road in the trailer park some years ago, the idea lead by then Town Councillor Johanne Loken. Now, with the growing popularity of outdoor skating, why not a second location at the waterfront.The overhead trees canopies could help reduce the amount of direct sunlight hitting the ice surface and causing melt on sunny days. I can also see festive lights glittering in the trees there. And, a yurt here and there where hot drinks and snacks could be served …
Too bad Councillor Loken’s idea wasn’t pursued, a fantastic idea, even now. But, up against the “frink” and the “old boys” at the time.
Why not jam everything at the cold windy water front there are other community parks and areas that would enjoy something in their area as well . Like the community park in New Amhurst or by the YMCA Less traffic , more Parking and closer to home and children .
The Community Park in New Amherst doesn’t even have a swing. Not sure what useful purpose it serves.
It might get you out more
Perhaps they should check with the people in West Park and New Amherst. Currently the residents there have stated they do not want further development and are asking it be cancelled due to the fact they state roadways in and out are inadequate and they don’t want any more traffic in the area before a costly venture they may not be wanted is put in.
Sounds like the West Parkers and New Amhersters need a reality check. Isn’t it convenient that they (you?) live in a brand new development but would like said development to stop now that they have their place to live? To hell with anyone else now that I’ve got mine. I doubt people in the Ewing St area were thrilled when West Park/New Amherst were proposed, but there they are, sprawling along.
Sorry, I don’t live there, wish I did! – just reporting from an article in the Northumberland News about a coalition against further development for those reasons Ahewsonator.
Excellent idea Miriam. I wish you were still on Council, you were always so creative.
Um…that was actually my idea 😉
Thank you for your support, Beach Walker. A favourite piece of advice I received from the CAO at the time … do not get too far ahead of everyone else or you might be mistaken as the target. Hey Rob, I am happy to follow you on this idea of a skating oval 🙂
I can see lots of money to grade it so that half of the water isnt at the other end like last time.
Good point. And timely. Council approved servicing upgrades to the campground/trailer park in 2019 and it is likely the road will have to be tidied up at least, possibly graded and resurfaced as part of the works.
There is a reason we dont flood ball diamonds and tennis courts in the winter like they did here in the 70s and 80s. Winters are no longer consistently cold and many days it rains.
You’re right about that. Last year we had four separate stretches in February of several consecutive days with daytime temperatures at or near +5°C.
“Oh, where are the snows of yesteryear!”
Wouldn’t want to be the electrician to install those cables.